ALDRICH, Lois Ann Of Wellesley, died peacefully on February 13th, surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard Aldrich, and the devoted mother of three children.
Lois was born in 1923 in Fort Fairfield, Maine, the second of four children. Her father, Harold McKenney, was a potato farmer and her mother, Louise, was a teacher and principal at the local high school. Lois graduated from high school at the top of her class and was Aroostock County’s “Potato Queen” in her senior year.
Lois earned a scholarship to Radcliffe College, where she graduated in 1945. She remained an enthusiastic and active alum for the rest of her life. While at Radcliffe, she met Richard Aldrich, a Harvard grad who had served as a Naval officer on a destroyer in the Atlantic during World War II. They married in 1947 and remained together for fifty-six happy and healthy years until Richard’s death in 2004. They were longtime residents of Wellesley where they raised their family.
Lois was a great friend to many, a devoted teacher, and an active Wellesley real estate broker. She gave time and effort to several charities and was very active in the Wellesley Service League and a St. Paul Church parishioner for many years. She was a longtime member of both the Wellesley Country Club and The University Club of Boston. She had recently received the AppleTree award from her Radcliffe classmates for her work keeping many of them connected during their advancing years. Her devotion to fitness and a love of daily swimming contributed to her long and healthy life. She was a loyal Boston sports enthusiast with a special fondness for the Red Sox and the Celtics. Lois loved traveling and spent many winters in Key Biscayne, Florida.
She is survived by her three beloved children Hope, Richard and Caleb, and their respective spouses, Vytas Simas, Nichole Aldrich, and Alyce Aldrich. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren.
Donations may be made in her honor to: Newton Wellesley Hospital Charitable Foundation, Washington St. Newton, MA 02462. A service and celebration of her life will be held in the spring.