Marjorie Salisbury

Marjorie G. Salisbury, beloved sister, daughter, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother, went home to be with our Lord on August 16, 2015 in Palmer, Alaska.

Born July 17, 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Marjorie spent her early years on her parents’ farm near Stony Plain. Her father, Max Bowser, and her Canadian-born mother, Florence Patton, moved their family to Puyallup, Washington in 1947. Marjorie graduated from Puyallup High School in 1957. While attending Western Washington University with her best childhood friend, Linda, she started dating Linda’s older brother Cliff who had returned from serving in the U.S. Army in Alaska. They were married September 12, 1958.

In 1960, the couple moved to Palmer, where Cliff taught school. The couple and their 14-month old son moved to New Zealand, which began an adventure, with Cliff teaching American high school military dependents for 12 years in England, France, Germany, and Canada, while traveling worldwide with their family in tow. They had four children — each born in a different country.

In 1975 they returned to Alaska, where Cliff taught at local high schools and served in the Alaska Air National Guard. Marjorie ran a licensed childcare in their home and was a deacon at the Presbyterian Church. After Cliff’s retirement, they continued to travel together all around the United States and internationally. Marjorie was active in her community, sharing her kind generosity with everyone she meet.The couple were members of the National Grange and the Irish Club of Alaska. Marjorie enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, sewing, genealogy, and listening to live music.

A Canadian flag flies at half-staff at the family home “MarCliff Haus” in Palmer in Marjorie’s honor. Her husband says “It is the end of a nearly 60-year love story, but it continues forever in my mind”.

Marjorie is survived by her husband Clifford A. Salisbury, her brother Glenn Bowser, her sister Helen Bauer, her children Mathew Salisbury, Vaughn Salisbury, Grant Salisbury, Laura Salisbury and her beloved grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Solstice Clinic staff, hospice caregivers, and Among Friends Assisted Living — all good friends. A private service will be held at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery, with a celebration of life for friends and family at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to local hospice organizations or any charity of choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at alaskacremation.com.