Elizabeth (Cryan) Wheaton-Smith

Elizabeth (Cryan) Wheaton-Smith, 86, a long-time resident of Dorset, Vermont, died peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2015. Liz was the daughter of Robert Cryan and Eugenie O'Neill Cryan, born on May 4, 1928 in New York City. Liz grew up with her older brothers Robert and Eugene Cryan in Switzerland where she acquired her life-long love of mountains-and dark chocolate. After attending Pembroke College in Providence, Rhode Island, she married Anthony Dryden Marshall with whom she had twin sons, Alec and Philip. Following divorce in the early 1960's, Liz married Craig Wheaton-Smith and the family settled in Dorset, Vermont.Liz was actively engaged in the community, serving as a board or committee member of the Manchester Garden Club, the Manchester Music Festival and Green Mountain College. She was also very engaged helping out back-stage at the Dorset Playhouse. When Liz wasn't practicing bridge conventions in service of her weekly lessons and games, she enjoyed afternoon movies with friends, reading historical novels, and gardening, all with unyielding appreciation of the unique light and color of Dorset Hollow. Liz's seasons were chronicled by migratory birds at the feeder, which she once protected by throwing clementines at an inquisitive black bear. In the summer-when not planning and hosting visits by her family near and far-she enjoyed ballet productions at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and exhibits and festivals at Southern Vermont Arts Center. Above all, she loved her family and the steadfast friends who meant so much to her-even when they ate her last piece of chocolate, won a hand of bridge or game of backgammon.Liz is survived by her sons Alexander Russell Marshall of Dorset, and Philip Cryan Marshall and his wife Nan Starr of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts; her grandchildren Hilary Brooke Marshall, Sophie Starr Marshall and Winslow Starr Marshall; big brother Robert Cryan of Wayne, Pennsylvania; the extended Cryan family; and her British step-family and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Craig Wheaton-Smith. A celebration of Liz's life will be held in the spring. A celebration of Liz's life will be May 23, 2015 at noon at the United Church of Christ in Dorset.