Kensington, Conn.
It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Clara Irene (Joy) Salsbury of Kensington, Conn. She passed away peacefully on Palm Sunday, the morning of April 5, 2020, leaving to mourn her devoted family and friends. She was born Feb. 20, 1929, in Franklin and raised in Ellsworth Falls, the daughter of Alden and Reatha (Gordon) Joy. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 44 years, Raymond Jordan Salsbury, in 1991. She was also predeceased by her eldest son Raymond Alden Salsbury in 2016 and his wife, Diane, in 2014.
Clara leaves behind her children, Doreen Zigmont and her husband, Timothy, of East Berlin, Cheryl Wrobel and her husband, Joseph, of Kensington, and Kevin Salsbury and his wife, Marissa, of Southington. Clara was blessed with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who loved her dearly. In addition, Clara is survived by her beloved sister Dianne Carter of Ellsworth, sister-in-law Louise Joy of Ellsworth, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Virginia Salsbury, also of Ellsworth, sister-in-law Lucille Joy of Bristol, Conn., and sister-in-law Allison Salsbury of Town Hill. She also leaves many loving nephews and nieces too numerous to mention but truly loved. Clara was predeceased by her beloved siblings, Gerald Turner, Alden Joy Jr., Hayden Joy, Edward Joy, Lila Leonard, Polly Farnsworth, Janice Clough, Donna McNulty and David Joy. We especially appreciate those family members who traveled to Connecticut recently to visit Mom, as it meant a lot to her and to all of us kids.
Clara was successfully self-employed with her husband for most all of her life. Some of their ventures included a full-service gas station, rental apartment buildings, a catering service — The Sidewalk Café, a popular restaurant — Salsburys Corner, and lastly the Salsbury Diner and Motel, which they operated for over 35 years. As a true Christian, she was generous to a fault when people could not settle their accounts or pay their bills. She knew true wealth was in doing what we can for those less fortunate. In addition to her generosity, she was patient, kind and outgoing with a firm religious faith and a strong faith in others. She was a friend to many and often valued the welfare of others above her own.
She was a former member of the Maine Grange, a member of the Kensington Garden Club and her most beloved role as an active participant of the Kensington United Methodist Church. She cherished her time spent as a Sunday School teacher (especially to her own grandchildren), her involvement with the senior crafters group at the church, and as an annual volunteer with her family and other parishioners at the church’s Berlin Fair booth each year.
When she wasn’t working or volunteering, she loved spending time in her gardens. Well into her 80s, she could recall most any plant or flower placed in front of her. She also had the tag-sale bug and had a hard time passing up a bargain come Saturday morning. She thoroughly enjoyed camping throughout New England with her family, and for the last 34 years adored her summer cottage on Graham Lake in Ellsworth. Even though a seasonal residence, it provided a meeting spot for family reunions and a great getaway for a week or two for us kids and our own families. Mom was fortunate to spend entire summers with either her children or grandchildren by her side, so she was never alone. The coffee was always on and the door was always open.
Mom ate healthy (though she did love her chocolate), worked hard and was always active. We attribute these fine qualities to her excellent health until just recently. She was fortunate enough to remain at home with assistance and then finally moving last year to Southington Care in Southington, Conn. The CNAs at home and all the staff at Southington Care took wonderful care of her, and we are thankful of their love and compassion. They truly do the Lord’s work.
We were very blessed to have had her in our lives for as long as we did. She taught us many lessons, and she was always our biggest supporter in our endeavors. Thank you for everything, Mom; we will all love you forever.
A funeral service will be held at Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth, this summer. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Otis. Plans will be announced later for a memorial service honoring her life at the Kensington United Methodist Church, also later this summer. In lieu of any flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Kensington United Methodist Church, 103 Hotchkiss St., Berlin, CT 06037.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.