PORTSMOUTH NH – Elaine Yvette Pidgeon Saltus, 88 of Portsmouth, died peacefully Friday February 24, 2023, at Wentworth Senior Living. Elaine was born September 24, 1934, in North Ferrisburgh VT, daughter of Edward Joseph and Bertha Amanda Quintin Pidgeon.
Elaine is survived by her three children, Urban Edward (wife Lulu) Saltus III of Essex Junction VT, Cassandra (Cassy) Maria Clare Saltus (husband Harry Revels) of Portsmouth NH and Bradley Joseph Saltus of Alexandria VA; two grandsons Lucas Joseph (wife Alyssa) Saltus and Matthew Joseph Saltus of Alexandria VA; and great grandson William Joseph Saltus; and by her sister, Gail Swenor of East Middlebury VT.
Elaine was predeceased by her husband Urban Edward Saltus Jr on August 24, 2012; and brothers Marcus (1967) and Ronald (2016) Pidgeon.
Elaine was born in the Pidgeon farmhouse and grew up on the family dairy farm at the North Ferrisburgh four corners. After attending the one room schoolhouse on Stage Road, she graduated from Mount St Mary’s High School in Burlington VT in 1952 and attended Bishop de Goesbriand School of Nursing for one year.
Elaine married Urban in 1953, at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes VT. The couple moved to Troy NY where Urban finished his Civil Engineering degree at RPI and Elaine started her career as a dental assistant. Following Urban’s graduation in 1954, they moved to Utica NY where they made their home until retiring in 1987 when they started wintering in Treasure Island FL until 2011.
Summers always belonged to VT and extended family. At Long Point on Lake Champlain, Elaine grew roses and loved visiting with friends, neighbors and everyone who came down the road. To walk by camp Leeward was to be greeted. In no time she would connect you to a camp, a boat, a family member, her community. She loved children. After Urban passed in 2012, Elaine lived with Cassy in Portsmouth NH. For the last 6.5 years she lived in assisted living in Portsmouth, where she took up watercolors. She cherished her faith, family, children, flowers, sunsets, sailing, knitting, walking and adventures. Spirited. Loving. Kind. Interested. Elaine cared deeply for those around her.
SERVICES: A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11am Tuesday Aug 8, 2023, at St Peter Catholic Church in Vergennes. An Interment at St Peters Cemetery & fellowship luncheon at St Peters Parish Hall will follow. All are welcome. If you would like to bring a dessert, please let Cassy know. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: St Peter’s Cemetery fund, PO Box 324, Vergennes VT 05491, or Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, 106 Panton Rd, Vergennes VT 05491. Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes is in charge of arrangements.