MARY ELIZABETH BURCHARD

SALISBURY — Mary Elizabeth Burchard, age 91, passed peacefully April 28, 2026, at EastView in Middlebury.

Mary was born in Bath, Maine, March 27, 1935. She was the daughter of William and Gladys (Spinney) Donnell. She grew up in Bath, except for several years when the family temporarily relocated to Chester, Pa. She attended school in Bath and Chester before graduating from Morse High School, Bath, class of 1953. She became the second woman to earn a Wildlife Management degree from the University of Maine as a member of the class of 1957.

Mary married Donald Bishop Burchard in Bath, Maine, June 15, 1957. Following time in Oregon and Maine, they moved to Vermont in 1960. Mary was a longtime volunteer for the Girl Scouts, fulfilling roles from troop leader to board member. She directed Girl Scout Day camps before becoming the director of Sky Acres Girl Scout camp for many years. She also assisted her husband in his land surveying business. She was a member of the Salisbury Congregational Church. Mary was a member of the Middlebury College Community Chorus for many years, where she was able to share her love of music. Camping, canoeing and bird watching were among her other hobbies.

Surviving are two daughters, Brenda Lynn Burchard of Salisbury and Gayle Ellen Burchard of Colchester. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her. She is survived by her good friend Randy and her beloved Labrador, Bella. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald, and a brother, William R. Donnell.

A gathering in celebration of her life will take place Aug. 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Terrace Dining Room at EastView in Middlebury. A reception will follow there, after the ceremony.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in her memory to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

Arrangements by Miller & Ketcham of Brandon. ◊