NORWICH – Virginia C. (Aldrich) Phetteplace, a beautiful lady in every sense of the word, went to be with our Lord on Jan. 30, 2010. She died at her home after an extended illness.
Virginia was a lifelong resident of Norwich. She was born July 16, 1926 to Earl Aldrich and Gladys (McNitt) Aldrich. She was a graduate of Norwich High School and was married to Donald Phetteplace, who predeceased her. They raised five children and farmed together as a family on the Pratt Road in the Town of Norwich.
She was a very talented lady. She owned her own business for many years, “Virginia’s Fabric Shop,” and sewed drapes and slipcovers for many area residents. Later on, she sold real estate with Jim Antinore Realty in Norwich. At around 60 years of age, she began to paint. She was a member of the Fine Arts Guild, Council of the Arts, and she sold her paintings at “Made in Chenango.” She also volunteered to teach residents of the Canasawacta Valley Home to paint and frame their artwork. In her 70s, she took up the art of stained glass and has created many beautiful pieces. She was active in her church, a “Meals on Wheels” volunteer, a Board member of the North Guilford Church, on the Board of Directors of the Evergreen Cemetery Assoc., (White Store Church), and was a member of the DAR. Above all, she will be best remembered as a very loving person who put others before herself.
She is survived by her five children: Charlotte DesRoches of Texas, Phillip Phetteplace of Pa., Bruce Phetteplace of Norwich, Christopher Phetteplace of Little Falls, Janet Pidgeon of N.C. and their spouses. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren: Lori Sheldon, Jill Detwiler, Benjamin Phetteplace, Jeremy DesRoches, Katrina Phetteplace, Erica Phetteplace, Katherine Harrelson, Andrea Karns, Rebecca Pidgeon, David Westervelt, and many wonderful granddaughters and grandsons-in-law who will all miss her dearly. Virginia was also blessed with many great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Gertrude (Trudi) Godfrey and Ruby Crispell. She is survived by her brother, Leon (Pete) Aldrich, and sisters, Irene (Renie) Weeks and Sandra Melville.
A memorial service will be held at the Canasawacta Valley Free Methodist Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. for family and close friends. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetry in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815 or to Evergreen Cemetery Assoc. (White Store Church), c/o Barbara VanderBunt, 121 Co. Rd. 3A, Greene, NY 13778.