Edith B. Alger, 98, Was Chappaquiddick Visitor

Edith B. (Smith) Alger of Hingham and Chappaquiddick died on Monday at the age of 98.

Edith's great-grandfather, Daniel Smith, spent some years as the Cape Pogue lighthouse keeper, and her grandfather, Joshua Snow Smith, grew up there and in Edgartown. He worked for the Vineyard Gazette and then assumed editorship of the Rockland Standard. In 1910 he purchased a Victorian cottage on Chappaquiddick called Menaca, overlooking the harbor entrance. She spent every summer of her life there.

She was born in New Jersey, daughter of the late Harwood B. and Edith M. (Jacobus) Smith and was raised and educated in Passaic and later Brookline. She was a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School (now Bridgewater State College) and earned her degree in elementary education. She taught in the Needham public schools for more than 15 years.

In the 1930s she and friends turned Menaca into a full board guest house for nine years. Many of the guests were so charmed by the experience that they founded their own Chappaquiddick dynasties. In 1943 she married Lt. Stedman Alger of Rockland, the son of the then editor of the Rockland Standard. She continued to host friends and relatives for long stays until very recently. People were attracted to her energy and inner warmth. She continued to frequent Chappaquiddick until 2003.

She is survived by her son, David B. Alger and his wife, Mary Beth, of Hingham. Her grandchildren are Andrew S. and Charlotte L. Alger of Hingham.

A memorial service will be held at the Federated Church in Edgartown on Saturday, August 27, at 2 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society.