Elizabeth A. (Wheeler) Sanborn

Elizabeth A. “Betty” (Wheeler) Sanborn, age 92, longtime resident of Salisbury, passed in the peaceful surroundings of her home and in the presence of her husband and daughter. She was the loving wife of George “Bob” Sanborn, whom she was married to for 73 years.

Born in Amesbury on September 3, 1931, she was one of six children of Clarence C. Wheeler and Agnes E. (Bruce) Wheeler and a graduate from Amesbury High School, Class of 1949. She then attended Essex Agricultural school for sewing classes. Later she drove a school bus for the Robblee Bus Company.

With her love and skills for sewing, she created articles of clothing from doll clothes to wool coats for northern weather, wedding dresses, men’s jackets and school clothes for her girls. she enjoyed basket weaving, chair caning, buying and selling antiques and refinishing their found treasures. She especially enjoyed traveling anywhere from Alaska to South America and more local adventure trips with friends. Time spent with her grandchildren, who affectionately referred to their Nan as “my pool toy:, brought her great joy.

Survived by her loving husband, a recently predeceased daughter, Lyn Grenier and her husband James Grenier; a daughter Cynthia Sanborn and her husband Gene Willis; two grandchildren, Sarah Sabino and her husband John, all of Salisbury, and Colby Grenier and his wife Julie of Norwell; four great-grandchildren, Lucas and Alex Sabino, Sam and Charlie Grenier; sisters, Sandra Walby and Marsha Alderman, along with many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside, Avenue, on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 4 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice or Elara Caring Hospice in memory of Elizabeth.