Elizabeth MacDonald Obiturary

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A graveside service for Elizabeth Salisbury MacDonald who passed away on May 7, 2012 at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Florida following a short stay for congestive heart and respiratory failure, will be held in late July or early August at the Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock, Vermont where Elizabeth will be laid to rest with her husband Leslie. Her son, Russell, was with her.
Elizabeth was born Sarah Elizabeth Salisbury on September 2, 1919 in Westfield, NJ to Edgar Porter (Nate) and Margaret Salisbury. Nate Salisbury was an executive with Standard Oil of New Jersey and worked in New York City. She was called by her middle name, Elizabeth, from early childhood and never used her given first name. However, she never officially changed it, and that caused a lifelong confusion factor for her.
Elizabeth grew up in Westfield, NJ, and attended grade school there, followed by private boarding school during high school. She attended Katharine Gibbs College for girls in Boston in 1936-37, traveled for about a year, including at least one trip to Cuba, and then enrolled at St. Petersburg Junior College in St. Petersburg, FL, graduating in 1941 with a two-year degree in business.
Following graduation, she worked in New York City for Standard Oil of New Jersey for several years during World War II.
In 1943, she met Leslie J. MacDonald, a Canadian soldier on leave in New York City. They were married on May 20, 1944 in New York City and moved to Kingston, Ontario where Leslie was stationed. They stayed there until the end of the war when Leslie was released from his military commitment.
After the war, they moved back to New York City for a year or so, where Leslie worked as a chemist in a plastics factory. He found that he didn’t like that job, and having come from a family of teachers, he decided he would also become a teacher. He went back to school and earned his Master’s in Education from Columbia. After completing his degree they moved to Fair Haven, VT to stay with Elizabeth’s now-retired parents, while Leslie searched for a job. He found that job in Woodstock, VT, where he was hired as a high school math and science teacher. He taught there until his retirement in 1976, and Elizabeth stayed at home and raised their three sons, Russell, John, and Robert.
Elizabeth was a strong supporter of Scouting and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years during the period when her own boys were in their preteens. Many of her former Cub Scouts are still residing in Woodstock.
After retirement, Elizabeth and Leslie moved to Dunedin, FL where they lived in a mobile home park called Trailer Towne until 1996. Then they moved to the Regency Oaks Apartments in Clearwater, FL, where they lived the rest of their lives. One of Elizabeth’s favorite pastimes was riding her bicycle, and she could be seen riding it around Travel Towne and the neighborhood, and in later years at Regency Oaks.
Elizabeth is survived by her sons Russell, John, and Robert; four natural grandchildren, Logan, Trevor, Spencer, and Faren; one adopted grandson, Jamie; and one great grandson William.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Leslie in 1999, and five brothers and sisters; James, William, Mary, Margaret (Dede), and Ruth.
She looked forward to receiving the Vermont Standard in the mail every week and read every word to keep track of events in Woodstock. She always called Woodstock her real ‘home’.
Local arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, condolences may be offered by visiting www.cabotfh.com .
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association in Elizabeth’s name.
This obituary first appeared in the May 17th, 2012 print edition of the Vermont Standard.

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