Elizabeth T. (Morris) Boothroyd

Elizabeth Thelma (Morris) Boothroyd, longtime Newburyport resident, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at the age of 92. She was the daughter of the late Veronica (Gagnon) and Truman Morris. Thelma’s husband of 55 years, Robert Irving Boothroyd, preceded her in death, as well as her two brothers, Pete and Arthur (“Hunzie”) Morris, and sister Emma (Andrews). All her loving cat family members over the last 60 years likely greeted her for some overdue pampering.

Thelma grew up in Newburyport’s South End and enjoyed roller-skating through the neighborhoods. She was a devout Catholic with French Canadian family roots and belonged to the St. Aloysius de Gonzague (“St. Louis”) parish or “French Church” until its closing in 1999. Her love of music and dancing were constant throughout her life, from square-dancing with Robert and their friends Russ and Sheila Johnson to jitter-bugging at Yankee Homecoming Old Fashioned Sundays and teaching her grandchildren how to dance to her old 50’s records. Over decades, Thelma hosted weekend cookouts and pool parties with a backyard full of family and friends. She was well known for her layered tossed salads and homemade brownies, and became known as “The Fudge Lady” for the multiple flavors of homemade fudge and chocolate bark that she sold during the holidays. Thelma enjoyed knitting and crocheting sweaters and afghans as gifts for others, taking photographs, and tending to her summer vegetable and flower gardens, always growing them from seed. In her fifties, she began working at Shaw’s Supermarket where she continued for 35 years. There, she made lasting friendships and became known as the “Earring Lady” to generations of children and parents.

Thelma was a strong, intelligent, say-it-like-it-is person with a generous heart. She loved talking with people and helping them feel welcome, even when she did not know them. Thelma did not back away from any challenge, and had been independent, driving and working, for most of her later years. She loved God and found some peace of mind in her daily prayers. Thelma will be remembered for her smile, laugh, and generosity.

Thelma is survived by her brother, Bob (“Bobby”) Morris of Salisbury, MA and her four daughters, Thea Gove of Amesbury, MA; Karen and her husband Joe Magee of Rochester, NH; Rochelle L’Italien of Durham, NH; and Renée and her husband Marc D’Argenzio of Pittsboro, NC. Thelma was a proud Memé to her grandchildren Christine (Magee) Becker, Katherine (Magee) Pratt, Derek L’Italien, and Wesley L’Italien; and great-grandchild Emily Magee. The family wishes to thank Kristen Arcand for her compassionate care and dedicated advocacy for their mom’s quality of life during this last year.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at the Star of the Sea Church, 18 Beach Road, Salisbury, MA. A private burial will take place at Mount Prospect Cemetery, Amesbury, MA. The family invites family and friends to join a gathering after the funeral service to celebrate Thelma’s life (details to follow). There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to causes that Thelma supported, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org), Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (https://mrfrs.org/), and the Clean Water Program of Running Strong for American Indian Youth (https://indianyouth.org/).