Ellen Salisbury Kelton

MONTPELIER – Mary Ellen Kelton, 83, passed away early on March 14 while holding her daughter's, Annie's, hand at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vt. Mary Ellen and her late husband, Dwight Kelton, had lived in the same home on College Street in Montpelier for more than 52 years. She had been a resident at The Arbors since October 2009.

Born on Feb. 28, 1927, in Randolph, Vt., she was the daughter of the late Donald E. Salisbury and Helen (Merrill) Salisbury. Her mother married the late William A. Savage, "Uncle Bill," also of Randolph in June of 1940.

Mary Ellen graduated from Randolph High School in 1944. She went on to Cornell University and joined the Kappa Delta Sorority in 1945. While at Cornell, she was a charter member of the Cornell University Jazz Club. She graduated with a B.A. in 1948. Mary Ellen had a passion for music. She played the piano and the accordion and had thoughts of pursuing a career as a big band vocalist.

Upon graduation from Cornell, Mary Ellen attended secretarial school in Boston, while working at the Women's Industrial and Educational Union and staying with "Uncle Bill's" brother, Orrin Savage, and family in Lincoln, Mass. Returning to Vermont, Mary Ellen was employed for several years as a social worker for the state of Vermont, Department of Children and Families, working with foster children and foster families.

She met and fell in love with Dwight Kelton, formerly of East Montpelier, who was working for New England Telephone in the Randolph area, and they were married on June 20, 1953, in Randolph. The marriage brought them a daughter, Anne.

Although Mary Ellen worked between 1964 and 1966 as a customer service representative for New England Telephone and Telegraph, thereafter she declared her occupation as a Household Executive.

Her interests included: their home, cooking, gardening, yellow Labrador retrievers – especially the family's! – music, the Boston Red Sox and, being by the water. She had fond memories of going, as a young girl, to the Salisbury cottage at Malletts Bay on Lake Champlain. She enjoyed spending time at camps on Vermont lakes, particularly Caspian Lake. Much later in life, she loved to walk the beach at Siesta Key in Florida. She was incredibly supportive of her daughter's involvement with riding horses, Morgan horses and showing. Mary Ellen's and Dwight's support of their daughter's passion, lead to the purchase of land in East Montpelier and building a barn for the two Morgan horses. Soon Dwight, who had never lost his early interest in farming, bought three registered Angus cows. Mary Ellen was also supportive of her husband's interest in breeding Registered Angus cattle at Morningside Farm.

Mary Ellen kept very current most of her life, as the news unfolded and became history over the years, what mattered to her most of all was the impact on people. She enjoyed spending time with people, was a loyal friend and always wanted to help others.

Mary Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Dwight, who passed away on Aug. 31, 2009. She is survived by her daughter, Anne H. Kelton (Annie) and son-in-law, Tom Cosinuke of Charlotte, Vermont.

A memorial service will be held at The Old Brick Church in East Montpelier on Saturday morning, May 1, 2010 at 10 A.M.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden County, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.

Barber & Lanier Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

For those wishing to convey online condolences to the family, please visit www.Barber-Lanier.com.