Born: 03/25/1953
Bennington, Vt.
Died: 06/22/2026
Burlington, Vt.
Details of service:
Please join us for a cheerful celebration of Leslie’s life on Saturday, August 1st at the Greg Brown Lodge from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 264 Hardack Drive, St. Albans, VT 05478.
Elizabeth “Leslie” Frydenlund of West Swanton, Vermont passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 22, 2026. A woman of boundless warmth and witty humor, Leslie was born on March 25, 1953 in Bennington, the only child of Howard Hutchinson and Elizabeth (Mallin) Hutchinson. Through her journey of 73-years, she touched many lives with her compassion, tenderness, and an unwavering spirit of care for everyone around her.
Driven by an endless devotion to others, Leslie was a lifelong caregiver and a dedicated nurse. She spent greater than 25 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse, much of it in oncology and hematology, bringing comfort to both patients and families during their hardest moments. She later became a pharmacy technician at the St. Albans Walmart pharmacy where she worked until six months ago, never one to sit still or stop giving all of herself to those around her.
Among the many joys of her life, Leslie cherished her 33-year-long marriage to Robert Frydenlund, a partnership built in equal parts of devotion and good-natured teasing. Together they enjoyed their flower gardens, listening to music, watching Patriots football, boating on Lake Champlain and competitive horse shoes.
She never met an animal she didn’t love. Her dog, Koyah, and her cats, Oscar and Puddy, were as much family to her as anyone. She shared a story once that her mother would pack her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch that she then would feed to her favorite horse on the neighboring farm on the walk home from school. She had a fondness for painting, indoor plants, dinosaurs, specifically Jurassic Park, and an eclectic taste in good music, specifically Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles.
Leslie was predeceased by both of her parents, and her close friend and mother-in-law, Sylvia Weinhagen. Leslie is survived by her husband, Robert; her two loving daughters, Cheryl Underwood (Keith) of Georgia, and Elizabeth Ellison (Lloyd) of Fairfax and her five much cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Swan (Brandon), Tyler Swan, Leah Underwood, Keira Underwood, and Hayden Ellison, whom she loved dearly; and her brother-in-law, Alex Weinhagen (Shelly) of Burlington.
The family wishes to acknowledge the devoted care over the past six months by VNA of Franklin County, NMC, Dr. Terri Nielson at St. Albans Primary Care, and the UVMMC Oncology and Hematology teams. We are deeply grateful to all of the compassionate staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Miller 5 unit for the above and beyond care and comfort they provided throughout her journey.
In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, Leslie requested that you consider a gift to the Franklin County Humane Society, in keeping with her lifelong love for animals.
Leslie’s legacy of warmth, mischief, and quick wit will be carried forward by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her life will forever be an inspiration, a testament to the power of a heart that never hesitated to give itself fully. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
