Aug. 17, 1943 – Sept. 12, 2024
Northborough – Kathleen E. Aldrich, 81, of Northborough MA, passed away September 12, 2024 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the heart and soul of the family, the glue that held everyone together and will be greatly missed.
Born on August 17, 1943, she lived in Hudson, MA until her marriage in 1965, after which she moved to Westborough before settling in Northborough where she resided for 56 years. She was a graduate of Hudson High School and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and taught in the Westborough school system before dedicating her life to raising her children and grandchildren.
Kathleen is survived by Alvin Aldrich, her beloved husband of 59 years; children, Amy Poretsky and husband Scott; Meredith Khan and husband Saleem; sister, Jean Staniunas-Desisto and husband Louis; cherished grandchildren, Jacob, Rebecca and David Poretsky, and Alayna and Silas Khan. She was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Helen (Olaski) Staniunas.
Kathleen’s greatest joy was her family. She adored her daughters and grandchildren, alike, proud of their academic and sporting achievements, from grade school through college. Whether it was soccer, football, basketball, rugby, cross country, or track and field, you would find her cheering in the stands. She had a competitive spirit, often stressing “play to win, no one really likes second place,” and Wayne Gretsky’s quote “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Kathleen enjoyed many outdoor activities including hiking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and camping with her family and friends. Her car was known as the “chuck wagon”, packed with everything you needed to have a delicious meal over an open fire. She stayed at campgrounds on Cape Cod, Hermit Island, Bar Harbor, and Martha’s Vineyard. Family travel vacations also included trips to Hawaii, Disney, the Grand Canyon, London, Scotland, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, an Alaskan cruise, among others.
She was a Red Cross certified swimming instructor and enjoyed summers boating, swimming and skiing at the lake with her family and friends. She also enjoyed 4th of July fireworks, cookouts, fire pits, sunsets and shooting stars.
She was an amazing cook. No one would ever go hungry at the family gatherings and everyone would leave with the delicious leftovers. She passed along many wonderful recipes which will be impossible to replicate.
Kathleen never sat idle and had many talents including knitting, sewing, quilting, creating stained glass artwork, and gardening. Family members will treasure her hand-knitted sweaters, hats, socks and mittens. In her early years she attended many auctions acquiring furniture to refinish for her home. She loved a good bargain and had fun finding treasures at thrift shops and yard sales with her young grandchildren.
Most of all, she was loving, kind, and generous to all, even the family dogs who were always excited to see her with her pockets full of treats.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.
Services were private, for her family. Interment was in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough.
Arrangements were under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA.
To leave an online condolence or gesture of kindness for the family, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.