Lesley Alden

1923-2009

SHELBURNE, Mass. — Lesley J. (Wilson) Alden, 86, formerly of Greenfield and Buckland Mass., died peacefully Nov. 19 at the Anchorage Nursing Home in Shelburne, Mass.

She was born in Charlemont, Mass. on March 17, 1923, the daughter of Raymond W. and Mildred (Cross) Wilson. She was a graduate of the former Charlemont High School.

On April 19, 1942, she married William Donald Alden of Conway, Mass. (MA) and they began a 65-year journey together before his death in 2007.

In addition to her primary responsibility of managing the Alden household, including the raising of two children, Lesley was at various times a dental assistant for dentist Lewis Rush, a food services worker for the Buckland-Shelburne schools, and most of all, a talented cook and magical seamstress. She was, in fact, a true "Greatest Generation" wife, mother, and homemaker.

Survivors include a daughter, Donna Shepherd and husband, Lee, of Heath, Mass.; a son, James Alden and wife, Candace, of Auburn; a brother, Raymond Wilson of Greenfield; three grandchildren, Michael Phillips and his wife, Karen, of Gill, Mass., Caroline Hanson and husband, Peak, of Lebanon, N.H., and Daniel Alden and wife, Magda, of Lowell, Mass.; and two great-grandchildren, Katelyn and Mackenzie Phillips.

She was predeceased by her husband on July 28, 2007.