Margaret M Aldrich

Margaret McKenzie Fulton Aldrich, ninety-nine passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2026. She was born August 14, 1926, in Chelsea, MA to Alexander Fulton and Margaret McKenzie (Deas) Fulton. She grew up in Quincy, MA and attended schools there, graduating from Quincy High School in 1944 as Vice President of her senior class. After graduation she went to work as a tracer for Bethlehem Steel at the Quincy Shipyards where she met her future husband.

Margaret and Arthur “Ralph” Aldrich were married at First Parrish Church in Quincy on October 4, 1946, and lived for a brief time in Marshfield Hills, MA until Ralph’s work took them to Maryland and Ralph’s family, and they settled in the Baltimore area for a few years. During this time Margaret worked as a dental assistant until she and Ralph moved to Ridgely on the eastern shore of Maryland.

While living on the eastern shore Margaret gave birth to two of her sons, David and Stephen. She and Ralph then moved back to Baltimore for a couple of years until Ralph secured employment in New England and they settled permanently in Connecticut. Margaret gave birth to her third son, Douglas and was a homemaker until she read an ad in 1967 for a secretarial position with TVCCA’s Foster Grandparent Program that intrigued her. She worked for them for four years.

She again stayed home until another ad caught her eye and she worked for Woods Lane School in Lebanon as a secretary for a few years until she was approached by Chandler, Palmer, and King in 1974 to replace their secretary that was retiring. She took the position and worked there until her retirement in 1990.

Besides being a busy wife and mother, Margaret was a member of Park Congregational Church for 72 years and for many years she made sure the Sunday offering was counted and deposited in the bank. She was an avid bridge player and played bridge for years with a few bridge clubs in Norwich. She was a member of the Women’s City Club for 66 years and was the secretary at one time. She was on the Senior Affairs Committee for 20 years and was secretary for a time. She was a member of the Auxiliary Board at Backus Hospital and its Camisole Chairwoman. She volunteered for many years at the hospital and most recently in the oncology radiation department.

She also volunteered for two years with CRIS (Connecticut Radio Information System) which was sponsored by the Lions’ Club for the seeing impaired at the then Mohegan College to read newspaper ads. She was also a member and Treasurer of the Norwich Republican Town Committee for twelve years.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Arthur “Ralph” Aldrich in March 1999, her parents, her brothers and sisters-in law Alexander “Al” and Helen “Ree” Ford Fulton and Archibald “Archie” and Joan Nicklas Fulton, her nephew John Fulton and daughter-in-law Kimberley “Kim” Taylor Aldrich. She was also predeceased by her dear companion of ten years, Joseph “Roger” Marien of Norwich who passed away in November 2016.

She leaves her son David Aldrich of Port Ludlow, WA, her son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Laura Winzler Aldrich of Millsboro, DE and her son and daughter-in-law Douglas and Laura Talamini Aldrich of Waterford, CT. She also leaves her grandchildren Hilary Aldrich, Margaret “Maggie” Aldrich (Rob) Robinson, Anne Aldrich (Ritch Carr), Chloe Aldrich (Fred) Goldston, Sara Aldrich (Thomas) Pereira, Ashley Aldrich (Kenneth) Liappes.

She leaves her great grandchildren Mia Aldrich, Kristina Defley (Nathan) Reed, Jacob Wade, Alana Black, Gianna Pereira, Connor Taylor, Olivia Taylor, Lucas Liappes, Kenny Liappes, Leah Liappes and Grace Liappes, and Nancy and Hank Carr. She leaves great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces, and nephews.

She leaves her ‘adopted’ family, the Marien’s who embraced her relationship with Roger and even after his death continued to include her in many of their family gatherings and celebrations which meant so much to her. She also leaves behind her wonderful neighbors, Roy and Sue Wentworth and good friends Barbara Dombrowski, Fran Donnelly, and Kathy Foerschler.

Church & Allen Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a future date. To view Margaret’s obituary and share any memories please visit Church & Allen’s website.