Elizabeth Daub

Elizabeth 'Liba' Sullivan Daub of Madison passed away on July 24, 2016 at the age of 90. She was born on Sept. 3, 1925 in Shanghai, China to the late Philip and Bess (Lipscomb) Sullivan. Liba spent much of her childhood in Shanghai where her father was an economics professor at St. John's University. Due to the occupation of China by Japan, the family returned to the United States in 1940 and settled in Arlington, VA where her father worked for the US State Dept. Liba attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Literature in 1946. She spent a year as a Danforth "Danny Grad", and then entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City for graduate work. It was there that she met the love of her life and future husband Edward Daub. Ed and Liba were married Aug. 20, 1949 in Arlington, VA. Soon after they began a life together as missionaries in Japan, living and working there until 1961. In Japan Liba and Ed worked as partners in missionary work, and she was also active as an elementary school teacher at Kyoto Christian Day School, a school started to provide US curricula to children of American missionaries. During their life in Japan they were also able to reconnect with Liba's childhood, spending summers at the Sullivan family vacation home at Lake Nojiri in Japan, which served as the summer home for Liba and her childhood family during their years in Shanghai. Liba and Ed returned to Madison where Ed completed a PhD in History of Science at UW. Ed and Liba spent several years in Lawrence, Kansas where Ed started his academic career at the University of Kansas. Liba focused on being a homemaker, raising five children, and was active in church activities and with the League of Women Voters. Ed and Liba moved back to Madison in 1971 and to UW where Ed worked until his retirement. In 1972 Liba became the Coordinator of Special Ministries at the First Baptist Church in Madison, a position she held until 1991. There she started a program of teaching English to spouses of international students. Working with the Madison Friends of International Students, she led English classes for mothers and children and hosted "cooking in America" classes to introduce them to American-style cooking and foods. She also worked with the elderly and ran the church's 60 plus program. She was also an active member of the Friends of the Arboretum and of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Liba was an accomplished pianist and organist, and enjoyed bird watching, reading, and writing. Ed and Liba loved living in Wisconsin, and spent many happy days at their cabin in the woods in Waushara County. They also enjoyed hosting their children and grandchildren for family reunions at lake-side resorts in Wisconsin. Liba was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband Ed. She is survived by her five children: Philip Daub of Madison; Margaret Daub (John Chisnell) of Raleigh, NC; Edward Daub (Amy) of Parkersburg WV; Eric Daub (Dale Koike) of Austin, TX; and Gretchen Daub Westman of Durham, NC; and by nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. She is also survived by her two brothers, Daniel Sullivan (Margaret) of Falls Church, VA and McDonald Sullivan of Seattle, WA, and a sister-in-law Janice Sullivan of Madison. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4100 Nakoma Road, Madison on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 10 AM. The interment will be held at 2 PM that afternoon at Graceland Cemetery, 6401 N. 43rd St. in Milwaukee.
The family is grateful to the Senior Helpers for the wonderful care they gave Liba, enabling her to live at home until her final days on earth.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434