She was born in Greenwich, CT on February 1, 1923, the only child of Thomas and Florence Irwin Murphy.
She was a 1941 graduate of Greenwich High School and a 1945 graduate of Willimantic State Teachers College, now Eastern CT State University. She started teaching in Montville in 1945 and had to travel from Uncasville School by taxi to Palmer Memorial School for the afternoon session as she was the only kindergarten teacher in town at that time.
On November 9, 1946, she married Arthur S. Alquist Jr. in Greenwich CT. Mr. Alquist was in the auctioneer business in Montville until his death in May of 1964.
During the 1960’s, Supt. Dr. Charles Murphy asked her to organize and run the Head Start Program, which was a very successful and rewarding experience for her.
After her retirement from teaching in 1981, she spent 8 months in her home in Gulfport FL and 4 months at Oxoboxo Lake. She also volunteered at the Gulfport Senior Center in the Reassurance Program, calling the homebound senior citizens to talk to them and to ask them if they needed anything.
Mrs. Alquist was a member of the New London County Teacher’s Association.
She is survived by her beloved children Arthur S. Alquist III and his wife Patricia of Uncasville, Thomas W. Alquist and wife Vickie of Oakdale, daughter Sarah Palmer and husband Roger of the Villages, FL, grandsons Christopher and Adam Alquist of Uncasville, step grandchildren Gregory and Jonathan Palmer and by 3 step great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held at the Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 6 to 8 pm.
A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10 am. Burial will follow in Comstock Cemetery.
To leave a message of condolence for Annabelle’s family, please visit her memorial at www.montvillefuneralhome.com
The Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen, 53 Norwich New London Tpke, is entrusted with arrangements.
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