Nancy C. Alden

Nancy Chapman Alden, 93, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2023 surrounded by her loving family at Linda Manor Assisted Living in Leeds, MA. Nancy was born on January 11, 1930 in Joanna, South Carolina to Charles Ernest Chapman and Annie Whitmire Chapman. She graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, SC in 1947. In 1951 she was a proud graduate of Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC with a BA degree in Journalism. Following her graduation, she received a commission into the US Navy and went to the Women Officers Training School at Newport, RI. She was assigned to the staff of the commandant, 3rd Naval District at 90 Church Street, NYC where she served as a cryptographic watch officer. While stationed there, Nancy met her future husband, John M. Alden, a fellow officer. They were married in February 1953 at St. Paul's Chapel in Manhattan. She was honorably discharged as Lt. (j.g.) in 1953. They lived in Great Neck and East Northport, NY from 1953-1960. John and Nancy's four daughters were born on Long Island. In 1960 the family moved to “Hame Noo,” the house on the hill in Staatsburg, NY. She and John lived there until 2009 when they moved to Arbor Ridge in Rhinebeck, NY. John died in October 2014 and in 2018 Nancy moved to Linda Manor Assisted Living.
She taught fifth grade at Staatsburg Elementary from 1962-64, and earned an MS degree in Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1965. From 1965-66 she worked for IBM (IBM Computer Assisted Instruction Program) as part of their first efforts using computers as teaching tools. She began teaching at the Clinton School in the Poughkeepsie City School System in 1966 and retired in 1985.
In 1987, she became the first female member of the Hyde Park Rotary Club and served as president of the club in 1991-92. She was Rotarian of the Year in 1992 and served as the District Governor’s Representative 1992-1993. She was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Nancy’s involvement with the Rotary also took her to the Czech Republic on two occasions.
She was elected Supervisor of the Town of Hyde Park in 1991, the first woman to hold the position, and served one term. As Town Supervisor she successfully fought to not allow Walmart to build a store across the road from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Historic Site.
She served on the Boards of Directors of the Mid-Hudson Family Services Agency, the Dutchess County Literacy Volunteers of America, the Victory Lake Nursing Home and the Winnakee Land Trust. Nancy was also a member of the Board of Directors of Holy Cross Monastery, Friends of Val-kill, and Friends of the Mills Mansion. She was a member of the Dutchess County Historical Society, the Dutchess County Water Resources Task Force & Policy Group. She was a member and Past President of the Edgewood Club in Tivoli, NY.
Nancy was a congregant of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Staatsburg and served as co-warden. She was also a member of the vestry at St. James Church in Hyde Park. She wrote for and contributed to the Diocese of New York newspaper and the Episcopal New Yorker.
Her love for Staatsburg kept her involved in the Advisory Committee of the Dutchess Community College Environmental Center at Norrie Point. She served on the Staatsburg Library Board and was President of the Lewis Gordon Norrie Playground, Inc.
She was an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes and was President and a charter member of the Hudson Valley Sciontists (Sherlock Holmes Society). Other interests included being a professional photographer and a feature writer for Dutchess Magazine. She was a columnist for the Taconic Newspapers with two features, Across the Spectrum and Staatsburg Scene. She wrote about the people living in Hyde Park and Staatsburg, particularly the history of the area and cultural events.
Nancy and John were avid travelers who especially enjoyed time spent in England, Scotland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Bermuda, Maine, and Stowe, VT. Many of their trips involved visiting friends and family, playing golf, and skiing. One of her proudest moments took place at the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland when she heard “Play away, Mrs. Alden.”
She grew up playing football, baseball and basketball with the boys in her town and called herself a “tomboy.” Later she took up tennis and golf. When she was 45 she decided to learn to ski and took private lessons at Hunter Mountain. In her early 50s she walked portions of the Appalachian Trail in New York and Connecticut.
She leaves four daughters, Nancy "Missy" Alden of Washington, DC, Elizabeth "Betsy" Alden (Bonnie May) of Florence, MA, Mary Alden (John White) of Staatsburg, NY, and Patricia "Patty" Hasson (Tom Hasson) of Barnard, VT. She also leaves two grandsons, Brad States (Abi) of Mount Pleasant, SC and Dan States (Rosalie Jennings) of Manchester, VT and a great-grandson, Edward States-Jennings. She was predeceased by her parents and three siblings and two sons-in-law, Edward States and Daniel Ogle. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Linda Manor Assisted Living who lovingly cared for Mom during her final years. In particular, the Life Enrichment Program (LEP) staff should know how special they are to us. We also would like to thank the Cooley Dickinson Hospice staff who assisted us during her final days.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial calling hours at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc, Rte. 9, Hyde Park, NY will take place on Thursday November 16th from 5 to 7pm.
A memorial service will be conducted at St. Margaret's Church in Staatsburg on November 17th at 11am. Her ashes will be privately inurned in the Columbarium at St. James' Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Margaret's Church, P.O. Box 395, Staatsburg, NY 12580 or to Family Services, 29 N. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com . Cards can be sent to Alden Family, PO Box 343, Staatsburg, NY 12580.