BAR HARBOR – V. Leona Salisbury, 104, died Jan. 28, 2013, in Bar Harbor. She was born Nov. 5, 1908, in Ellsworth, daughter of Jack “John” and Helen Gertrude (Scammon) O’Brien.
She attended various schools in Ellsworth, Harrington and Roque Bluffs, Machias. She graduated from the Ellsworth High School in 1927 and was a member of Ellsworth High School Alumni. Her first job was at Fred Scoffs on the corner of Main and State streets in Ellsworth. From there she went to work at Hancock County Court House in the registry of deeds with Judge George Hadlock. She researched titles full-time up to 1950. During World War II she worked as a welder doing defense work in Rochester, N.Y. She moved more than 44 times. She married Charles Frederick Salisbury of Bar Harbor. They were married 56 years. Father Dayton said their 50th anniversary Mass at Holy Redeemer Church. Their 50th wedding anniversary reception was held at Kebo Golf Club. Her husband predeceased her Feb. 25th, 1986. They had three children. The first, W. Dayton Salisbury was ordained a Catholic priest June 6, 1959, as a member of the Josephite Fathers. Their second son, Paul Edward Salisbury, worked for WLBZ, Channel 2, for 36 years and lives in Bangor, Maine. Their third child was Mary Barbara Elaine Salisbury Major, who died Aug. 15, 1978; she married James Major of Massachusetts, and they had two daughters, Carrie Major and Katie Major. V. Leona Salisbury was a faithful communicant at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bar Harbor, now Transfiguration Parish. She was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of Mount Desert chapter of DAR when she was able. She had a lifetime membership at the YMCA for her perseverance in the early aquarobics classes. She was a past president of the Seniors Club, Northeast Harbor. She traveled to Canada to see the late Pope John Paul II.
V. Leona Salisbury is survived by her two sons, W. Dayton Salisbury and Paul E. Salisbury, both are retired. Her daughter, Barbara, predeceased her. She has two granddaughters, Caroline Major Brady and husband, Frank, and Katherine Major Clark and husband, Matt; six grandchildren, Dylan, Megan, Chloe, Bridget Brady and Ethan and Callie Clark; nephews, Richard Salisbury and wife, Nancy, and James Salisbury and wife, Sara; one niece, Joanne Salisbury Sousa and husband, Tony;, Chris Buzzell;, Terri (Salisbury) Costa and husband, Eric Costa; great-nephew, Richard and Nancy Salisbury; great-nephew, Rick Salisbury; and great-niece, Rhonda (Salisbury) Shannon and husband, Clayton, and daughter, Catlyn. There is one half sister, Vivian O’Brien; four aunts, Sadie, Marie, Katie and Bertha; several cousins; Mildred and Gerald Jordan and sons, Mike and Tim, and daughter, Jeni and Jim Carney and son, Nathaniel; and other cousins, Grace O’Brien, Corrine, Bob, Sidney, James, Alice, Fred, Noyce and Chandler. Thank you for your Mass cards, cards of remembrance, your prayers and your thoughtfulness.
Friends are invited to call 9-10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church where a funeral Mass will begin 10 a.m. with Father John O’Hara, celebrant. Spring interment will be at Woodbine Cemetery, Ellsworth. Contributions in Veronica’s memory may be made to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 21 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
V. Leona Salisbury
