Myrtle B. Mcleod

BARRE – Myrtle Boyd McLeod, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, lovingly surrounded by family and the caring attention of Woodridge staff.

Born on June 22, 1925, in Barre, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Tolbert W. Boyd and Alice (MacDonald) Boyd.

Myrtle graduated from Spaulding High School in 1943 and from Dean Junior College in 1945. At Dean, she met Helen “Kay” Flynn Garrett and Ruth “Ruthie” Stearns Beard; they remained close friends for the rest of their lives. After graduating from Dean, she was employed at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Boston and then in Montpelier.

On June 18, 1949 she married Harrison Lowell McLeod, and their marriage continued until Harrison passed away, four days before their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Myrtle and Harrison lived their entire married life in Barre, first on Maple Avenue, then on Marcell Avenue, and, finally, in their beloved spot at the top of Delmont Avenue. They taught values of treating everyone with respect while letting us kids be kids. All three homes were central gathering spots for family, neighborhood kids, and holiday celebrations that often included the friends of her children as they became adults.

For the majority of her adult life, Myrtle was a homemaker, devoting her energies to her children, grandchildren, and all aspects of family life, while Harrison spent long hours running the McLeod family business, Lowell McLeod, Inc.

She was also a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of Barre, serving as an elder, active in its Elwood Club, and baking for and volunteering at the Church’s annual Scottish Tea & Bazaar over many years. Myrtle’s kitchen was full of oatcakes, scones, and pies in the November days leading up to the Scottish Tea.

Myrtle loved annual family trips to the Southern Maine Coast, stays at Linger Longer, the Bohlen family camp on Lake Champlain, and elaborate family picnics at Vermont State Parks, especially Bear Mountain at Allis State Park in Brookfield. She and Harrison also enjoyed travels to Alaska, Hawaii, England, and Spain.

After Harrison sold the family business to Brian and Kevin Bailey – it still operates today under Brian Bailey as McLeod’s Spring and Chassis – and retired, he and Myrtle enjoyed extensive RV camping trips across the U.S. and Canada, often with Ruth Beard and her husband, Elton. They also returned frequently to Maine, hiking the Marginal Way in Ogunquit several times each trip.

Myrtle maintained their home on Delmont Avenue for twelve years after Harrison’s death. She then moved to Residential Care at Westview Meadows at Montpelier, where she spent two happy years and became known as “the walker” because of her steadfast devotion to long hallway walks, despite her failing eyesight.

Survivors include two sons, Steve McLeod of Bolton, and Ernest McLeod and his husband, Kevin Moss, of Middlebury; daughter, Kristy McLeod and her husband, Carl Bohlen, of Hinesburg; four grandchildren, Tom McLeod of Montpelier, Kari Bohlen and her husband, Mike Leonard, of Burlington, Nicholas Bohlen and his fiancée, Sarena Maron-Kolitch, of New York City, and Gina Galfetti of Mexico. She is also survived by “honorary” granddaughter, Shawnte Bragg, of New York City.

Myrtle was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Harrison, and her sister, Barbara Boyd.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caregivers who became close to Myrtle at both Westview Meadows and Woodridge Nursing Home. Their affection, which extended beyond caregiving duties, will remain in our hearts.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Myrtle’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2015 in the First Presbyterian Church, 19 Seminary Street, Barre. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 19 Seminary Street, Barre, VT, 05641, or to the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 60 Kimball Avenue, South Burlington, VT, 05403.