Elizabeth K. "Libby" Donaldson Yates, a floral designer who led two campaigns to save her church from closing, died Saturday at Sunrise Assisted Living in Severna Park at age 87. She had been in declining health since a stroke several years ago.

Born Elizabeth Fowler in New Market, she spent most of her youth there, attending the town's one-room schoolhouse until the eighth grade. In 1930, she married Carson Donaldson. They lived in Frederick until moving in 1938 to Ellicott City, where he worked as a miller for Doughnut Machine Corp.

After raising their three sons, she became a floral designer in 1964 at Wilhilde's Florist in Ellicott City. She worked there about 20 years, becoming the store's chief designer.

She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City. When the church was destroyed by fire in 1939, she was at the forefront of efforts to resurrect it a year later, said her youngest and only surviving son, Francis E. Donaldson of St. James City, Fla.

"She was a driving force in using bricks from the old church to construct the new church. If it wasn't for her, that church wouldn't be there," he said.

In the 1960s, when the church had financial difficulties, she collected donations and took part in other fund-raising activities, Mr. Donaldson said.

Her first husband died in 1972, and a decade later she married George Yates, a member of St. Peter's. He died in 1992.

Mrs. Donaldson Yates enjoyed gardening. She excelled at making turkey dinners for holiday gatherings, and was noted by neighbors for her homemade pepper jelly and apple butter.

Services were held yesterday at St. Peter's.

In addition to her son, she is survived by a brother, Ted Fowler of Sykesville; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.