Frances Thomas Aldrich

Frances Thomas (Nulty) Aldrich passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026. She was born on March 4, 1942, to her parents, Francis Thomas Nulty and Esther Alice Caulton, in Northfield, New Jersey.

She is survived by her children, Sheila Dauth (husband Michael), Patrick Aldrich (wife Stacey), and Kevin Aldrich (wife Dottie); grandchildren Brendan Dauth (Valeria Moreno), Caleigh Dauth Roy (husband Dylan), David Payant, and Tiffany Jones (husband SGT. Will Jones); her sister, Sharon Nowfel, of Washington D.C.; sister in laws Ellen Reynolds (husband Jim) of Phoenix AZ. and Elizabeth Bell of DelMar NY. as well as many nieces, nephews, and longtime friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Clifton Henry Aldrich, in 2019, and her sister, Annette Benson, in 2020.

Frances grew up in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. She attended Beach Haven Public School through the eighth grade, then attended the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Convent, New Jersey, graduating with honors in 1960. She declined a full college scholarship for piano to attend Mount Saint Agnes College in Mount Washington, Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology in 1964.

Frances married First Lieutenant Clifton Henry Aldrich in April 1967 in Baltimore, Maryland. This began her journey of balancing a full-time career with her role as an Army officer’s wife. Frances and Clifton welcomed a daughter and, 15 months later, “surprise” twin boys. The family moved from Massachusetts to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked at Children’s Hospital in DC. While working for Children’s Hospital she was credited with colleagues and published in Clinical Chemistry magazine in 1976.

The family later spent six years in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, followed by six years in Frankfurt, Germany. Frances’s career continued to flourish. She worked at the 97th General Hospital for several years before accepting a position at U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, where she worked as a serologist in the Crime Lab. She was invited to participate in a training class at Scotland Yard, an opportunity afforded to very few.

Over the years, there were several more moves, including to Texas, where she worked at Scott & White Hospital and the VA Hospital in Temple. Returning to the Washington, D.C. area, she was hired by LabCorp to open and manage numerous satellite laboratories. Under her leadership, the labs consistently passed regulatory and accreditation inspections with ease. She was ultimately selected as one of the organization’s peer inspectors and traveled to hospitals around the country when needed.

When Frances finally retired in 2002, she and Clifton settled in Weston Lakes, Texas, where they immersed themselves in their community and church.

Fran, as she was known by most, wore many hats and embraced many challenges with enthusiasm. She was a talented pianist and musician. She taught herself to play numerous instruments, such as the violin, flute, hammered dulcimer, and even the Irish tin whistle. She took up golf in her 50s, volunteered as a docent at Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, and gave her time generously to every Catholic church of which she was a member. She played the piano and organ and sang in the choir. She answered the call whenever she could.

She gave to her profession, her country, her community, and her church selflessly. But Fran would say that her greatest joy was raising her children, watching her family grow, and sometimes leading a summer week at “Nana Camp” for her grandchildren.

She was called Mom (not just by her own kids but Mom to many), Nana and Grandma, and she was known to many simply as Friend. Her closest friends affectionately dubbed her “Lady Fran,” a reflection of her elegance and demeanor.

Each person whose life she touched carries a piece of her love, her lessons, and her legacy. Those who knew her will remember her music, her laughter, her faith, her determination, and the way she made every space feel like home simply by being in it.

She was, in every sense, a true Renaissance woman.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Frances’ name to:

St. Faustina Catholic Church 28102 FM 1093 Fulshear, TX 77441 j

Final Arrangements:

Viewing: Meadowlawn Funeral Home, 4244 Madison St, New Port Richey, FL, 34652 a 9 am

Funeral Mass: St Ignatius of Antioch Roman Catholic Church, 715 E Orange St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Memorial Service at St Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, TX TBD

Interment Arlington National Cemetery TBD