Elizabeth D. “Libby” Gasaway, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, at her home. She was 81.

Mrs. Gasaway was born in Gunnison, Miss., the daughter of Fincher Thomas Blanchard and Margaret Hogue Blanchard and had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1985. She was a graduate of Mississippi State College for Women and the University of Mississippi.

She was a photographer, an author and a teacher.

Mrs. Gasaway had a love of history and research pertaining to Vicksburg and was the author of “Gray Wolf, Gray Sea,” the story of the World War II submarine that became the most feared of all German U-boats.

Mrs. Gasaway was an avid horsewoman, a fox hunter and a great lover of pet dogs and cats.

She was a member of Phi Mu sorority and Christ Episcopal Church in Vicksburg.

Mrs. Gasaway is survived by two daughters, Millicent Gasaway of Vicksburg and Elizabeth Neuhaus and her husband, David, of St. Louis, Mo.; a son, Mike Gasaway and his wife, Linda, of West Monroe, La.; four grandchildren, Ashley Alejandro, Allan Neuhaus and Adam and Abbie Gasaway; and a sister, Margaret Hogue Keith of Hattiesburg.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gasaway was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Gasaway; and a brother, William Blanchard.

A celebration of Mrs. Gasaway’s life will be at 6 tonight at Christ Episcopal Church, 1115 Main St., Vicksburg MS 39183, with the Very Rev. Chan Osborn de Anaya, rector, officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 5 p.m. until the hour of the service. Riles Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Christ Episcopal Church or Vicksburg-Warren Humane Society, P.O. Box 820171, Vicksburg, MS 39182.