Elizabeth Grace, “Libby,” Biegen (nee Handshaw) - 90 yrs, of Smithtown, NY, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her bedside on September 28, 2021 in her daughter’s home in Hauppauge.

Beloved wife of Peter J. Biegen (deceased); loving mother of Elizabeth Dinger (Brian) and Barbara Schiaffino (Andrew); cherished grandmother of Emily Woods (Timothy), Anna North (Jonathan), Ross Dinger, Julia Dinger and Sonya Schiaffino; dear great grandmother of Esther and Eden North.

Libby was born on November 9, 1930 and grew up in Smithtown. She met the love of her life, Peter Biegen, when they were both employed at Kings Park State Hospital. Peter and Libby settled and raised their family in Smithtown. Peter joined the Suffolk County Police Department, and was a Detective in the Fourth Precinct at the time of his death in 1969. Libby and her daughters were proud to represent him at the Smithtown Rotary Club’s “Peter J. Biegen Award” ceremony, honoring officers of the Fourth Precinct for exhibiting “Service Above Self,” annually, for 50 years.

After her husband’s passing, Libby worked as a teacher’s assistant and later, as secretary to the principal at Cleary School for the Deaf in Nesconset until her retirement.

Libby was always passionate about cats, dogs, and wildlife. She became a “crazy cat lady,” adopting many stray cats over the years. Libby was inspired to become a volunteer at Sweetbriar Nature Center after the surprise 70th birthday party her family held there in her honor. She continued to volunteer at Sweetbriar into her eighties. At home, Libby rehabilitated numerous birds, bunnies, squirrels, and raccoons over her lifetime.

Libby was a fiercely independent woman, raising her two children and caring for parents as a young widow. She lived in a manner true to her beliefs, regardless of others’ opinions.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sweetbriar Nature Center at 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY, 11787 (https://www.sweetbriarnc.org) or Golden Paw Society at P.O. Box 4183, Huntington, NY 11743 (goldenpawsociety.org).