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Elizabeth "Libby" Whitaker, M.D., 54, of Columbus, passed away on February 8, 2021 after a brave six-year battle against breast cancer. She was born in Fort Dodge, IA to Larry (Sandy) Kudart and Connie Lucas Kocher. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her brother John Kudart, sisters-in-law Danielle Whitaker, Dana Whitaker, and stepfather Robert Kocher. Libby will be dearly missed by her husband, Todd Whitaker, M.D.; children, Penn, Audrey, McKay, and Joe; siblings, Abby (John) Fowler, Joe Kudart, Brenda Cole; sister-in-law, Katrina Kudart; brother-in-law, Robert (Laura) Whitaker; father and mother-in-law, Robert (Dixie) Whitaker; nephews, Jacob, Alex, Luke; and nieces, Macy, Emily, Claire, Kayla, Alex; as well as her stepsiblings, Kevin Kocher, Adam Kocher, Kim Solomon, and Brian Sarbaugh. Libby was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She graduated from Zanesville High School followed by The University of Akron and earned her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Columbus Children's Hospital, OH, where she was selected as Chief Resident. She was a Board Certified Pediatrician, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She was a partner at Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Columbus, where she cared for thousands of children and their families for thirty years. She helped train and mentor pediatric residents throughout her career. She was also licensed in Florida, where she provided care for underprivileged children and their families at a clinic in Naples, FL. Libby was faculty at The Nationwide Children's Adoption Academy where she lectured to prospective adoptive parents, was an author of medical articles for a number of local publications, wrote pediatric case studies for the education of healthcare students, and served as an Executive board member of The Crawford Crew Foundation. Libby will be remembered for her contagious laugh, wonderful smile, and the ability to brighten every room she entered. Her kindness, compassion, and love was felt by everyone that ever met her. She was generous with her time and knowledge and never met a child whom she didn't treat as her own. She was a fiercely loyal wife, mother, and friend. She loved her family, her friends, her two dogs, finding shells on the beach, cheering for her kids at athletic events, and decorating her home with her child's artwork. A private Memorial Service celebrating Libby's life will be held Saturday, February 13, 2021. Please refer to www.Schoedinger.com to view the live stream of the service available that day at 10:55AM. A celebration honoring Libby's life will be planned for a later date. Information will be available on the Schoedinger and CaringBridge websites once a date is selected. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Sam's Fans, which supports and enhances music and art therapy programs that serve seriously ill children and their families in Children's hospitals. Donations can be made at www.samsfans.org or by sending a check to Sam's Fans, 4041 North High St., Suite 401E, Columbus, Ohio 43214. Arrangements have been entrusted to the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON FUNERAL HOME. |
