Phyllis D. Aldrich Obituary (1920 - 2010)

WATERVILLE -- Phyllis DeRoch Aldrich, 89, died Jan. 1, 2010, at Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home. She was born in Waterville on Sept. 22, 1920, the daughter of Daniel and Belle DeRoch. Phyllis graduated from Waterville High School in 1938. Following high school, she trained as a registered nurse in Melrose, Mass. After receiving her nursing degree, she worked at the Melrose Hospital. In 1943, she returned to Waterville to be with her family while her brother was in the Navy. She did private duty nursing for a short time. When the Osteopathic Hospital opened, she worked as an operating room nurse. She worked in the hospital until November 1946 when she ended her nursing career to marry Herbert E. Aldrich on Nov. 30, 1946. Phyllis continued to use her nursing experience in the volunteer capacity as school nurse at Sacred Heart School. She also volunteered as nurse at Girl's State when it was held at Colby College. She was a lifelong member of the American Legion Ladies Auxilliary #5. She attended Sacred Heart Church where she was a member of the Rosary Sodality. Phyllis enjoyed playing bingo, arts and crafts and doing crossword puzzles, cooking, sewing, playing cards and spending time with her family. For several years, she operated a ceramic studio out of her home. She was predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Belle DeRoch. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Herb Aldrich; her son, Herb, and wife Carolyn of Waterville, and their daughters Heidi Benevides and her husband, Mike, of Connecticut and Amanda Burns of Massachusetts; son Jim Aldrich of Bowdoinham and his sons Ian and Craig of North Carolina; her brother, Daniel DeRoch, of Oakland and his wife, Mona; her nieces, Karen Loftus, Cindy McCarthy, and Patti Libby and their families. Phyllis is also survived by lifelong friends, Irene Roy and Martha Rogers; she is also survived by several great-nieces and nephews and a great-great-niece as well as several cousins. Friends and family may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 5, at Gallant Funeral Home 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 6, at Sacred Heart Church 70 Pleasant St., Waterville. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home 7 Highwood St., Waterville, Maine 04901 or to Central Maine Veterans Memorial Park c/o Winslow Supply 567 Benton Ave., Winslow, Maine 04901.