She lived in a castle, and because of her cooking and generosity, she became a Lawrence legend.

Early Friday, Libuse “Libby” Kriz-Fiorito, 88, died in her residence on the second floor of The Castle Tea Room, 1307 Mass.

“She was the most prudent, astute, independent businesswoman I’ve ever known,” said Suzanne Dillon, who along with her husband, James Dillon, were close friends with Kriz-Fiorito.

The castle and its tea room restaurant, which Kriz-Fiorito operated since the 1940s, was her life, those who knew her said.

“The castle was her legacy,” said Linda Norman, who had worked for Kriz-Fiorito for years both as a waitress and as a chef. “The castle was Libby, and she was the castle.”

The castle was purchased in 1947 by Kriz-Fiorito and her husband, Dr. Louis Fiorito. They were only the third owners of the building, constructed in 1894 by retired Civil War Gen. John N. Roberts. Louis Fiorito died in 1982.

The building, which is on the Kansas and national historic registers, features handcarved wooden fireplaces and decor made of six types of wood.

Kriz-Fiorito operated the tea room first with a partner, Ruth Quinlan, and then on her own.

Through the years the tea room became a gathering place for wedding receptions, anniversaries and other similar functions. During the past several years it was open by reservations only.

“I think the restaurant was how Libby shared the building with the city,” James Dillon said.

In 1989 Kriz-Fiorito was inducted into the Kansas Restaurant Assn. Hall of Fame. But she was known for more than her good food, said Gregg Hanna, who once worked for her.

“She had one of the biggest, kindest hearts I’ve ever known,” Hanna said. “She was always taking in strays and helping people out. She helped me one summer when I was out of work by keeping me busy with maintenance jobs and being a waiter.”

Kriz-Fiorito also was a philanthropist. She donated thousands of dollars to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical so that special equipment could be purchased. She also contributed money anonymously a year ago so the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office could get a new drug search dog.

“She contributed to other organizations but she did it very quietly; she didn’t want any publicity,” Suzanne Dillon said. “She was a very private person.”

Kriz-Fiorito and her husband did not have children. But one of their relatives, nephew Richard Fiorito, who lives near Chicago, recalled annual visits to the castle he had made since he was a boy.

“We would sit on the back porch and talk until 4 or 5 in the morning,” Richard Fiorito said.

Kriz-Fiorito got sick late last year and was in Lawrence Memorial Hospital for a short time before returning home.

Kriz-Fiorito had taken steps to see that the castle was preserved after her death. In 1992 she formed the nonprofit Libuse Kriz-Fiorito Historical Foundation.

The restaurant is no longer taking reservations for events, and it will be determined later whether some type of food operation resumes, said James Dillon, who sits on the foundation’s board. The castle will be examined, and restorations will be made where needed, he said.

“This building is a gem. It just needs to be polished,” James Dillon said.