Alice Adeline (Richards) Didsbury, "Peg", died peacefully November 28, 2013 at the age of 93 at Cook Willow Health Center. She was born August 27, 1920, daughter of the late Hector and Florence (Houghtaling) Richards of Litchfield. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Miles "Ike" Didsbury in 2002. Peg graduated from Litchfield High School, Class of 1939. During WWII, she worked at Seth Thomas making arming mechanisms for side winder missiles and fuses for the war department. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross. After restoring an old farmhouse in Plymouth, the couple built a new home on a piece of property from the Didsbury farm. In the early 1960s Ike and Peg purchased Granite Springs Beverage Co. from Harold Keogel. Many local families remember going to the soda shop on Smith Road to pick out hard to find flavors like white birch and sasparilla. She worked tirelessly for 28 years, mixing syrups and bottling soda until retiring in 1989. Peg was a member of the Republican Town Committee, serving as Registrar of Voters for many years. She was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church Womens Fellowship. She especially enjoyed working on crafts for the annual Christmas Bazaar. Over the years she knitted over a hundred pair of mittens for the churchs annual mitten tree. She started sewing at an early age and was a very talented seamstress. She spent many hours making hand smocked dresses for her granddaughters and great granddaughters. As her smocking abilities became known, she eventually sold her dresses in area shops. While working at the Fabric Barn in Morris, Peg renewed her interest in quilting and made several quilts that are treasured by her family. Peg was an avid bowler through the 1960s, 70s and 80s. She was a member of a championship womens team sponsored by Granite Springs and also bowled in the couples league. Peg is survived by her children: Linda D. Geddes and husband Eugene of Thomaston; Michael S. Didsbury of Inverness, Florida. Her grandchildren: Jeffrey M. Geddes and wife Peggy of Thomaston, Kimberly G. Dragan and husband Michael of Northfield; Marisa McClain and husband Chase of Inverness, Florida. Her great-grandchildren: Tyler and Megan Geddes, Emily and Rebecca Dragan, Yasmein Young, Matthew and Alexis Holmes. Sister-in-law, Hazel Didsbury. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all. She was predeceased by her brothers: Charles, Earl, Bernard, and Walter Richards; her sister Josephine Curtiss and her grandson Matthew Didsbury. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at the First Congregational Church in Thomaston at 11 am. Burial in Northfield Cemetery will be private. Arrangements are in the care of the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. Thomaston. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cook Willow Health Center and Vitas Hospice for their care and kindness during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Womens Fellowship, First Congregational Church, 135 Main Street, Thomaston, CT. 06787

Service Information Service Saturday December 7, 2013 11:00 AM First Congregational Church of Thomaston Main Street Thomaston, CT 06787 -->