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COVID-19 Archive

Images and Stories from Vermont

Elizabeth Norton McKinnon, 90, Burlington

Title

Elizabeth Norton McKinnon, 90, Burlington

Description

BURLINGTON — Elizabeth “Lib” Norton McKinnon, 1930-2020, passed away peacefully Dec. 25, 2020, as a result of COVID-19. Elizabeth was born and raised in Bristol, the daughter of Ridley and Rena Norton.

Lib was predeceased by her loving husband of 59 years, Rodney John McKinnon; her parents; stepmother, Thais Perry Norton; and her sister, Nancy N. McFarland.
She is survived by her two daughters, Gayle McKinnon-Alexander (Rodney Alexander) of Burlington, and Glynda McKinnon of Vergennes; her grandchildren, Alexa McKinnon Schmidt of Portland, Ore., David McKinnon Schmidt of Starksboro, and Alan McKinnon Schmidt (Melanie Acker) of Lincoln; and two great-grandchildren, Evan and Emma Acker-Schmidt. Lib is also survived by her half-brother Dale R. Norton (Dona) of Starksboro. Additional survivors include her sister’s husband and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Rye, N.H.

Upon graduation from Ohio Wesleyan University, Lib returned to Bristol and married Rodney McKinnon. She is remembered as someone who enjoyed her time outdoors as a camp counselor teaching swimming during college vacations at a girls’ camp in Fairlee, canoeing on Bristol Pond, where she and Rod had a camp, or working on her property in Hinesburg.

In the mid 1960s Lib adopted a Morgan filly following the death of the mare, leaving the young filly an orphan. With her children and husband, Lib raised and trained the horse for her daughters. Bottle-feeding the filly, her children developed a strong bond with the horse. Lib also enjoyed dogs, particularly Airedales. The family owned a number of Airedales over the years. Lib cherished her time with her grandchildren and was proud of each of them as they pursued their interests — whether in Vermont or abroad. Rodney Alexander’s children Heidi and Amy Alexander remember fondly their many happy times with Lib.

The family wishes to thank The Converse Home for their care during Lib’s final days.
In lieu of flowers a gift of support may be made to the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm online at go.uvm.edu/givemhf or by mail to the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, 74 Battell Drive, Weybridge, VT 05753.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready Funeral Home. Visit cremationsocietycc.com to place online condolences. ◊

Creator

Addison Independent

Date

Dec.25, 2020

Contributor

Nancy Remsen

Spatial Coverage

Collection

Citation

Addison Independent, “Elizabeth Norton McKinnon, 90, Burlington,” COVID-19 Archive, accessed March 28, 2024, https://covid-19.digitalvermont.org/items/show/640.