Feature: Libby’s Legacy

In April, Queen Village lost one of its pioneer volunteers—Libby Goldstein.

Libby Goldstein’s grit and determination transformed a vacant lot on the 300 block of Christian Street into the city’s first community garden—Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden.

In 1976, Libby initiated a spontaneous garden, and neighbors began to join her. But in 1983, the community collaboration was uncertain; the lot became excess property of the federal government. So Libby researched options, organized neighbors, and harassed local, state and federal politicians to establish the garden as essential: It had become a shared food resource for the neighborhood, including the Southwark Housing Project (now Riverview at Courtyard). Thanks to Libby’s tireless efforts, the land was not sold and developed, the city secured a lease from the National Park Service in 1985, and in 1991, the lot was deeded to the city. Citing excellent stewardship, it was to be used for gardening in perpetuity.

Libby Goldstein in her salad days.

Recognized for this vision, Libby was asked to lead the Penn State Urban Gardening Program. She was also a Daily News garden columnist and served as President of the Philadelphia Food and Agriculture Task Force.

Libby’s Horticultural Society awards, and her haricots verts (Phaseolus vulgaris) entry.

The daughter of Socialist labor lawyer M.H. Goldstein, Libby was outspoken, and her political instincts came naturally. She was a Slavic linguistics major at the University of Michigan and also studied anthropology with Margaret Mead. After 34 years, in 2011, Goldstein retired from the garden. Fellow gardeners threw her a party, and City Council declared the date that year Libby Goldstein Day.

A 1994 QVNA citation for outstanding volunteer commitments.

Queen Village is eternally grateful for Libby’s vision, tenacity and dedication. Below, her friends, neighbors and fellow gardeners share favorite memories of Libby with us. ■

Libby Goldstein

I met Libby back in the mid-1970s and we became immediate friends. Libby loved everything and anything horticultural. She personified loyalty, determination, and love for all of the people and things she brought to life in this community.

-Marge Schernecke

I first knew of Libby before I knew her, because of her newspaper column. I wrote her in care of the newspaper, asking about the SWQV Community Garden, and she put me on the waiting list. After that, she took a special interest in my plot.

-Marilyn Ashbrook

My abiding memory of Libby was her response when I would consult with her about an issue in my garden: 'That is not excellent.' I loved it.

-Pauline Candaux

Besides being an extremely knowledgeable gardener, Libby was also a talented potter. After my husband and I were married at Philadelphia’s mass Millennium Wedding in 1999, Libby presented us with an over-sized, hand-built, expressive ceramic urn. We treasure it even more now, in her memory.

-R.W. Delaney

Libby was a force: smart, outspoken, knowledgeable, humane, and she had a wicked sense of humor. I had some experience gardening, but she had a lot more, and I respected the depth of her knowledge and her willingness to teach.

-Ed Bell

A dry wit, sometimes prickly, always genuine, Libby was a forceful and passionate advocate for growing food in community gardens citywide. She knew all the Latin names for various peppers, and she truly enjoyed sharing plants and gardening tips. I still have a perennial Forget-Me-Not in my back patio that Libby gave me years ago as a tiny offshoot from one of her plants.

-Carla Pippin

One day I heard that there was going to be a community garden on the 300 block of Christian Street. I wanted to grow some pot but Libby said no so I built the gazebo instead. It was great to see Libby creating something amazing for the community.

-Joel Spivak

Libby was one of those people; she didn’t fight every battle, sometimes didn’t even have an opinion. BUT when something important happened, she was right there, in the thick of it. Then when it was over, she went back to her gardening. Queen Village’s successes were achieved through real people not just protecting what they had but recognizing the right way to achieve the goal without hurting people.

-David Auspitz

To read even more about Libby, see http://bit.ly/MemoriesOfLibby