Nancy Monroe Dexter Aldrich

NANCY MONROE DEXTER ALDRICH

SUGAR HILL, NH - Nancy Monroe Dexter Aldrich 88, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2016 after being released from the grips of Alzheimer's disease. She was born to Pauline Monroe Taylor Dexter and Wilfred King Dexter. She was a lifelong resident of Sugar Hill. She graduated in 1946 from Dow Academy and went on to major in music with a minor in art at Colby Junior College in New London, NH. In 1949 she married Roger H. Aldrich. Following their marriage they continued their studies in Boston where she studied at the Vesper George College of Art. She also took piano lessons at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Frederic Popper. Later she also studied piano with Fritz Kramer, Morse Haythate and Ethel Wright. She studied oil painting with Marjorie Hastings and Figure and portraiture with Eunice Hundley. She also studied privately with Marjorie Shepherd of Boston, learning the art of public speaking and comedic monologues.

She went on to present programs of humorous and dramatic monologues, along with piano solos and served as accompanist for her mother violinist, Pauline T. Dexter and her aunt cellist, Rosalie Stoddard throughout the northern New England states from 1948-1972.

She taught music and art at the Crapo School in Sugar Hill and she taught private piano lessons to several generations of area pupils. She served as organist at the Durrell Memorial Church in Bethlehem, the Franconia Church of Christ, and the Sugar Hill Community Church.

She was very community minded and served as a member and board member on the following organizations: Sugar Hill Grange, Greenleaf Civics Club, Sugar Hill Community Church, Sugar Hill Improvement Association, The Willing Workers, Sugar Hill Historical Museum, The North Country Chamber Players and the Lafayette Lions Club.

With that full and enriched life she was also a business women. She grew up in the family business, Polly's Pancake Parlor, having worked there since the age of 10. She took over full time management in 1949. She oversaw several additions and renovations and great growth in the customer base. She was on "Good Morning America" in 1983 and then later on CBS' The Morning Show. She took immense pride in her business and customer service. She made sure to treat every guest like family even to the last days before her illness took over. She gave hundreds of high school and college students their first jobs and taught them all how to work hard and be proud of what they do. She loved Polly's and her Pancake Parlor family.

She was the consummate mother and grandmother. She knew that sometimes life in northern New Hampshire could be isolating and she made it her mission to shower her daughters and grandchildren with immense exposure to the arts, nature, and many cultural experiences.

She loved travel and with Roger they traveled to England, France, Nepal, India, Cape Horn, Machu Piccu and Cost Rica just to name a few. Many a friend and family will remember their vast travel slide shows.

She is pre deceased by her husband and business partner, Roger H. Aldrich.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah Alice Aldrich, Sugar Hill, daughter Katherine Aldrich Cote and her husband Dennis N. Cote, Sugar Hill, grandchildren, Emily Cote, Littleton, NH and Christopher Cote, Littleton, cousin David Stoddard of Littleton, niece, Dorothy D'Amato Lagrimas, Woodbridge, NJ and many, many dedicated past and present employees of Polly's Pancake Parlor.

SERVICES -- A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Sugar Hill Meeting House, with a reception to follow at Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The North Country Chamber Players, PO Box 865 Franconia, NH.