Mary E. Ilsley

Mary E. (Root) Ilsley

of Groton; 98

Mary Elizabeth (Root) Ilsley 98, died peacefully on Wednesday April 27, 2016 surrounded by family. She was the beloved wife of David S. Ilsley, who passed away two years ago after 64 years of devoted and loving marriage.

Mary was born in Strafford, Vermont, daughter of the late E. Cora (Searl) and Jethro Root. She grew up loving the outdoors and Vermont farmland, and lived an amazing life. She passed away 12 days before her 99th birthday.

 As a young girl, Mary helped her father on the family’s farm. She attended high school in South Royalton, and then graduated from nursing school. Mary worked as a Registered Nurse at St. Albans Hospital, and at various sites throughout Vermont and Massachusetts. She also obtained a Realtor license, did home-health nursing and cared for elderly patients in her own home, and raised four children in Ayer, Littleton, and Groton, MA.

 Mary loved her family and raised her children and grandchildren to love one another, and to respect and appreciate nature and the world around us. She was an avid baker, baking large quantities of bread, donuts, and pies every week. She pickled the vegetables from her garden, made homemade jellies and jams, and froze extra berries and fruit to feed her family year-round. Mary taught her family a hard work ethic, loyalty, and humor. She was a strong, hard-working, nurturing and loving soul, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew, admired, and adored her.

Mary taught her grandchildren to read and to bake. She had a profound respect for, and understanding of, nature, birds, flowers, and trees. She tended to her beautiful flower gardens around the house and found 4-leaf clovers everywhere. In later years, Mary enjoyed playing Scrabble, Cribbage, Caroms, and Boggle. She collected Gibson Girl plates and glassware; loved going to yard sales with her husband; and loved to reminisce about her earlier adventures of nursing and traveling throughout New England.

Mary continued cooking and baking through retirement, feeding her family and friends. She and her husband continued to travel to Vermont to visit extended family throughout the years.

 Mary was a member of the Order Of the Eastern Star.

 Mary is survived by her son, Burton and his partner Julianne, of Pepperell, MA; her daughter, Teresa R. Costin and her partner Charlie, of Glens Falls, NY; her son, Dwight and his wife Thelma, of Queensbury, NY; and her son, Lloyd and his wife Lorraine, of Groton, MA. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and many very close family friends who all cherish her and will dearly miss Mary.

Mary is predeceased by her husband, David Ilsley, her brothers Lee Root and Richard Root, her niece Castella (Root) Ford, and her daughter-in-law, Deborah (Bouchard) Ilsley.  

 Viewing hours Sunday, May 1, 2016, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Badger Funeral Home  45 School St. Groton

 Burial will be held in Vermont on May 3, 2016.