Beatrice P. Aldrich

Beatrice Patchin Aldrich passed away on the morning of December 23, 2015 surrounded by her loved ones at St. Peter's Hospice in Albany, NY. She was 83 years old and had been living in Guilderland, NY for the past five years.

Bea Ann was born in Syracuse, NY on June 29, 1932, the eldest daughter of Gould Patchin and Ella (Thompson) Patchin. She grew up in Pine Plains, NY with her two sisters, Susan and Fran, and her brother Tom. She graduated from Pine Plains Central School with 37 classmates, who remained close all of their lives. Subsequently, she attended SUNY Fredonia, majoring in Music.

Bea shared her gift of music freely throughout her life. She sang, played piano and organ, and served as choir director and organist in many churches. She brought joy to her family, playing music with them often. She was even the very first person to sing at a wedding in Howe Caverns.

Bea was a matchlessly loving woman, sharing God's love and the hope she had in Jesus with many. Over the course of her lifetime, she took in 45 foster children, wards, and homeless people, and cared for them as family. She began this labor of love in Cobleskill, in her home aptly called Agape House, where she lived for 25 years. Shortly after her house burned down in 1987, she returned to Pine Plains and became an active part of the community there, continuing to work with children and teens.

She was always actively teaching, whether it was Bible School, Sunday School, Spanish Camp, piano lessons, helping children with their schoolwork or general vocabulary - if you didn't know a word she would have you look it up in the dictionary yourself, the best way to remember - or in her own way, leading so well by example.

Beatrice Patchin Aldrich was predeceased by her sister, Frances P. Bradley, her brother-in-law, John Drury, her daughter-in-law, Karen B. Aldrich, her nephew, John Mark Drury, and her former husband, William B. Aldrich.

She is survived by her siblings, Susan P. Drury and G. Thompson (Judy) Patchin, her children, W. Daniel (Beth) Aldrich, Patricia (John) Adams, L. "Mike" (Allison) Aldrich, Christopher (Jean) Aldrich, and Mary (Bruce) Bevins, 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 6 nieces and nephews, and the many people whose lives she touched.

Memorial contributions can be made to Christ's Church Guilderland.

Two Memorial Celebrations will be held in her honor:


Christ's Church Guilderland
4 Charles Blvd / Guilderland, NY 12084
Saturday, January 2nd 2016 at 11:00 am
Light lunch to follow.



United Methodist Church
3023 Church St / Pine Plains, NY 12567
Sunday, January 3rd 2016 at 1:30 pm
Followed by a graveside ceremony,
Light lunch to follow at the church.