Elspeth Mainland Root, 92, a longtime resident of Cocoa Beach and current resident at The Fountains in Melbourne, died peacefully at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay on December 25, 2019.

She was born on October 26, 1927 in Liverpool, England. She earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta, Canada, 1952.

Elspeth worked as a Senior Technical Writer at McGraw-Hill Continuing Education Center from 1977-1982. She was a Proofreader and Copy Editor at American Physiological Society from 1973-1977. Elspeth was a Freelance Writer & Editor for American Chemical Society, Council of Communication Societies and Industrial Development Agency of the State of South Dakota from 1966-1973. In 1966, Elspeth worked as a Technical Writer and Editor at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory when she met the love of her life, Vernon Root. Prior jobs include Technical Writer for Pillsbury Company, Technologist for National Petro-Chemicals Corporation, Junior Research Officer at Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd and Shipping Clerk at Black Nugget Coal Mine, owned by her father.

During retirement, Elspeth was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending her days golfing with the Cocoa Beach 9-Hole Ladies at Cocoa Beach Country Club. She and her husband, Vernon were also travel enthusiasts who enjoyed traveling worldwide.

She was an active member of Friendship Fellowship Unitarian Church at Pineda. She was happiest singing in the choir, playing her mandolins and sharing intellectual conversation among friends.

Elspeth is survived by her stepchildren, Dr. Christopher (Christine Callender) Root of Colorado Springs, CO and Carolyn (William) Garvey of Wellsburg, WV; and her grandchildren, Aidan Garvey, Liam Garvey, Brendan Garvey, Conor Garvey, Katherine Callender, Kelly Callender, Amanda Callender and James Callender.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship Fellowship at Pineda, 3115 Friendship Place, Rockledge, FL 32955.