Mary Elizabeth Roseberry Saleh

Mary Elizabeth Roseberry Saleh, former Mayor of the City of Euless, TX (1993 – 2014), went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
“Mary Lib” as people fondly knew her, was born on May 4, 1931, and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond (Ray) Louis Saleh, to whom she was married for 54 adventurous years. Together, they lovingly raised five children, who in turn gave them seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who affectionately called her “Mimi.”
A diminutive Southern lady born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Lib stood “Texas Tall” as the first female Mayor of the City of Euless. She blazed a wide trail of influence and accomplishment across her adoptive state of more than 60 years.
In 1952, she married Ray Saleh, a decorated Army veteran of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Early in his career, at Ling-Tempco-Vought (LTV Corporation), Ray was transferred from Maryland to Euless, Texas in 1964. They quickly grew to love their new home and began establishing roots.
While raising their five children Mary Lib was an active leader in the PTA and her beloved church, the First United Methodist Church of Euless (now Ash Lane United Methodist Church) serving on many UMW committees and as a Lay Leader and Sunday School teacher with her husband for 20 years.
Once her children left the nest, Mary Lib’s interests turned to serving the City of Euless. In 1993, after four years as a City Council Member, Mary Lib made history when she was elected Mayor of Euless and served in that position faithfully for 21 years.
During her tenure, the City of Euless received numerous national awards including: The Tree City USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation, the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Named the Best Small City in Texas to Raise Children by Business Week Magazine, and one of the Best Small Cities in the U.S. by Money Magazine. Additionally, the Texas Star Golf Course was named Best Municipal Golf Course in the state of Texas, and the new Euless City Library was named the best such facility in Northeast Tarrant County.
Residential and business growth, modern government offices, and outstanding recreation facilities were not the only enhancements Mary Lib helped facilitate to make Euless a model city in which to live and work. She also led successful efforts to fund the creation of original bronze statues and paintings that depicted historical and meaningful moments in the lives of its citizens. Additionally, she appointed the first Euless Historical Preservation Committee, which has been instrumental in researching and preserving the city's history.
Mary Lib’s impact reached well beyond her city borders. She took a leading role in many influential county and state organizations. She established the Women in Government organization to provide educational opportunities for women elected in Tarrant County. Mary Lib served as Chair of the Tarrant County Mayors’ Council, Director of the Northeast Leadership Forum Mayors’ Roundtable, Chair of the Harris Methodist Health System Board of Trustees, Chair of Region 8 of the Texas Municipal League, and Chair of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition Committee.
Mary Lib was a member of the Texas Health Resources Board of Trustees, the Texas Attorney General's Municipal Advisory Committee, the Executive Board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County Board of Governors, the Board of Directors of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce, the North Texas Commission Board of Directors, the Business Press Advisory Committee, the Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee, and the Tarrant County AIDS Outreach Advisory Board.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Mary Lib was named Tarrant County's Most Influential Woman in 1998; the Clyde Mooney Award from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Chamber of Commerce, 1999; and the Northeast Leadership Forum Distinguished Leadership Award in 2002.
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Friends, supporters and even those with opposing views, admired Mary Lib’s sincerity, charm and intellect, while applauding her honesty. “You could always take what Mary Lib said to the bank."
Mary Lib retired as Mayor in 2014. In recognition of her numerous contributions to the City of Euless, the new library was named the Mary Lib Saleh Euless Public Library in her honor…an honor she humbly cherished.
Horticulture was also one of her passions. She became active in the Ft. Worth Botanical Society and Ikebana International (I.I.), an organization originated in Japan which integrates friendships through living flowers. Mary Lib earned the title of First Degree Master in the Ohara School of Ikebana and traveled throughout Japan, East Asia, and Europe; exhibiting, lecturing, and teaching with her mother, Martha P. Neese, a highly respected Ohara Master Instructor.
Mary Lib was the daughter of the late Martha and Max Deal Roseberry, both of whose entire families were natives of Atlanta. Her mother later married Marvin Felix Neese Jr. of West Columbia, SC.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mary Pamela (Pam) Atchison (Bob) of Shreveport, LA, and Mrs. Martha Penelope (Penny) Stephenson (Craig) of Edmond, OK; three sons, Raymond Richard (Ricky) Saleh (Jina) of Corona, CA, Robert Rory Saleh (Karen) of Phoenix, AZ, and Roger Randall (Randy) Saleh (Carolina) of Bedford, TX.

The grandchildren are Robert Jarrod Atchison, (Rebecca) and Justin Allen Atchison, (Lisa); Travis Wyatt Stephenson (Valerie) and Lauren Elizabeth Burnett (Ty); Chelsey Beatrice Saleh; Cole Alexander Saleh; and Gabrielle Marie Saleh, Mary Lib’s caretaker and “See Ya Later Alligator” pal.
There are eight great grandchildren; and her sister, Jaquelyn Eggerton of Orlando, FL, her brother, J. R. Roseberry of Tybee Island, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the excellent staff and caregivers at the Discovery Village Assisted Living Centers in Southlake, and her hospice providers of Champion Healthcare of North Texas.
The family would like to thank the City of Euless for their outpouring of love and support.
An open “Celebration of Life” Memorial will be held on Friday, September 8th, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, at the Mary Lib Saleh Euless Public Library, 201 N. Ector Drive in Euless, TX 76039.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mary Lib Saleh Euless Public Library Foundation.
Euless Library Foundation
c/o Mary Lib Saleh Euless Public Library
201 N. Ector Drive
Euless, TX 76039

Donations may be made online at:

https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/eulesslibraryfoundation/marylibsaleh