Obituary of Virginia Salisbury

Virginia Salisbury (nee Long) passed away on August 13, 2022, at the age of 91. Virginia was born to Elmer and Stella Long (nee Winnie) on October 7, 1930, in New Salem, NY. She grew up on the Long Farm Dairy in East Berne, NY. Virginia is predeceased by her brothers Albert, Kenneth, and Peter. She is survived by her sister Marjorie (Long) Burnett of South Carolina. Virginia was a proud, dedicated, hardworking mother to Patti Wolford (Paul) of Canastota, NY, Peggy Cooke (Kevin) of Voorheesville, NY, Bonnie Krasher (James Loso) of Saranac Lake, NY, Gary Salisbury (Tracy) of Knox, NY, and Bradley Salisbury (Lisa) of East Lawn Meadow, MA. Her love for them endured until her final breath. Virginia adored her grandchildren: Jeremy Wolford, Rebecca Manry, Melissa Serwanski, Joshua Serwanski, Judd Krasher, Garrett Krasher, Elizabeth Loso, Nicole Salisbury, and Megan Salisbury. Virginia is also survived by ten great-grandchildren. Virginia was a fixture in the Helderberg Hilltowns community. She was a lifelong member of the Thompson's Lake Reformed Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon. She also served as a cook in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District. Virginia had an innate care giving drive, which included her proudest professional accomplishment with her decades at the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (known at the time as OMRDD) as a mental health occupational therapy aid. Her compassion for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly children, extended beyond her office. On weekends, she volunteered caring for children in her home. She received numerous awards for her care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Virginia had a lifelong passion for nature, especially gardening in all its varieties. For many years she raised monarch butterflies in her garden. Virginia loved owls and her grandchildren enjoyed many days enjoying her collection of owl pictures and ceramics -- a room they fondly called "Grandma's owl room." Virginia was also a lover of language. Over her life, Virginia read thousands of books, played countless hours of Scrabble, and mastered a variety of word puzzles. She often instilled her passion for reading -- and education -- in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family will hold a celebration of life on Thursday, September 1st, at 11 am, in John Boyd Thacher State Park at the Pear Orchard Site. The celebration will be led by Rev. Col. Eric W. Olsen. All are welcome to attend. The M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory or leave condolences. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Virginia's long history of contributing to aid for disabled veterans, contributions can be made to: Disabled American Veterans PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 http://donate.dav.org/