Elizabeth F. Salmon
Elizabeth F. Salmon (Bette), our “Nana,” died peacefully after a brief illness at the Hospice House in Sun City Center, Fla., on February 9, 2017. She was the life of the party and dearly loved by family and friends. She made sure to celebrate 97 years just five days before developing pneumonia. That should be no surprise to those who knew her since she would never have passed up a party. She always had a joke to crack, new friends to make, and laughter seemed to follow her everywhere. She will always be remembered for teaching her family and friends to keep a good sense of humor and to embrace a sense of community everywhere you go. She had a way of bringing sparkle to those around her, and now continues to sparkle in Heaven dancing and laughing with her husband, Milton Salmon, the love of her life.
Bette loved many things including animals, collecting quarters, children, acting, happy hour, travel, playing cards and games and telling jokes. She always had a treat for furry animal friends wherever she lived. She was born in Sussex, N.J. on January 14, 1920, to Cleta Kernick Fergerson and Emmett Edgar Fergerson. As an only child, she found companionship with animals, and Lobo was her first pet of many throughout her life. She lit up at the sight of dogs and little children.
She attended Sussex High School and Centenary College in Hacketstown, N.J. and spent most of her life caring for her family, working briefly in the post office in Liberty Corner, N.J. and as a preschool teacher in Durham, N.C. She loved to tell everyone that actress Meryl Streep was in her Brownie Troop in Liberty Corner.
She is survived by three children: William Donald Salmon of Spokane, Wash., Mark Emmet Salmon and daughter-in-law Dee of Sun City Center, Fla., and Lynne Salmon Whitaker of Patchogue, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Tracy Salmon of Vermont, Heather W. Clark (Andrew) of Merrimack, N.H., Glen E. “Tripp” Whitaker lll (Doriana) of Schenksville, P.A., Tiffany E. Seda (Christopher) of West Islip, N.Y., and Marlana E. Salmon-Letelier (Matias) of NYC, N.Y.; 11 great-grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
St. Andrew Presbyterian in Sun City Center was her church home since 1983. She served as deacon, on the drama team, and most recently coordinating monthly communion for members living at Sun Towers, where she resided as an active socialite for three and one-half years. We all fondly remember her practicing the part of the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel) for a play she was performing at St. Andrew.
Prior to Sun Towers she lived in Kings Point (Glouster Association) in Sun City Center for 32 years, and she and her husband Milton lived in eight states during his career in VA Management: District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina. Her ashes will be buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Fla. with her beloved “Milt,” who preceded her in death in 1986. She was also preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her during her last weeks of life and for the time at Sun Towers. A special thank you to the many friends who sat with Bette during this trying time and to the doctors, nurses and staff at South Bay Hospital, Sun Terrace Rehabilitation Center and Life Path Hospice House. We are eternally grateful.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center, Fla., officiated by her son Rev. Mark E. Salmon and Rev. Robert Schmeiser.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W., Sun City Center, FL 33573. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
Bette loved many things including animals, collecting quarters, children, acting, happy hour, travel, playing cards and games and telling jokes. She always had a treat for furry animal friends wherever she lived. She was born in Sussex, N.J. on January 14, 1920, to Cleta Kernick Fergerson and Emmett Edgar Fergerson. As an only child, she found companionship with animals, and Lobo was her first pet of many throughout her life. She lit up at the sight of dogs and little children.
She attended Sussex High School and Centenary College in Hacketstown, N.J. and spent most of her life caring for her family, working briefly in the post office in Liberty Corner, N.J. and as a preschool teacher in Durham, N.C. She loved to tell everyone that actress Meryl Streep was in her Brownie Troop in Liberty Corner.
She is survived by three children: William Donald Salmon of Spokane, Wash., Mark Emmet Salmon and daughter-in-law Dee of Sun City Center, Fla., and Lynne Salmon Whitaker of Patchogue, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Tracy Salmon of Vermont, Heather W. Clark (Andrew) of Merrimack, N.H., Glen E. “Tripp” Whitaker lll (Doriana) of Schenksville, P.A., Tiffany E. Seda (Christopher) of West Islip, N.Y., and Marlana E. Salmon-Letelier (Matias) of NYC, N.Y.; 11 great-grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
St. Andrew Presbyterian in Sun City Center was her church home since 1983. She served as deacon, on the drama team, and most recently coordinating monthly communion for members living at Sun Towers, where she resided as an active socialite for three and one-half years. We all fondly remember her practicing the part of the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel) for a play she was performing at St. Andrew.
Prior to Sun Towers she lived in Kings Point (Glouster Association) in Sun City Center for 32 years, and she and her husband Milton lived in eight states during his career in VA Management: District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina. Her ashes will be buried at Bay Pines National Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Fla. with her beloved “Milt,” who preceded her in death in 1986. She was also preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her during her last weeks of life and for the time at Sun Towers. A special thank you to the many friends who sat with Bette during this trying time and to the doctors, nurses and staff at South Bay Hospital, Sun Terrace Rehabilitation Center and Life Path Hospice House. We are eternally grateful.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sun City Center, Fla., officiated by her son Rev. Mark E. Salmon and Rev. Robert Schmeiser.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W., Sun City Center, FL 33573. Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.