Alycia M. Eldridge Was an Independent Person

Alycia M. Eldridge, 66, of Edgartown died on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport. She was the wife of Capt. Thomas L. Eldridge.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., on Nov. 30, 1935, daughter of the late William and Dorothy Sutton Morton, she had been a resident of Edgartown for the past nine years. She previously resided in Hawaii, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Florida and Nantucket.

Her working career was varied. She worked as a waitress at Captain Toby's and the North Shore on Nantucket; operated Les Eldridge Seafood, and later worked at Merritt Seafood in Florida, where she sold swordfish around the country. She was known as a great salesperson with a good knowledge about fish.

She was a strong, independent woman who shared her stories of her travels with all who would listen. Throughout her life, she became a mother to many more than just her own children. She was a talented cook whose table always had an extra plate for a stranger or friend. Her house always had an extra bed for someone needing a place to stay.

In addition to her husband of 44 years, she is survived by two daughters and a son, Janice Eldridge and Julie Rezendes of Nantucket and William Eldridge of Rowley; a brother, Gary Morton of West Hollywood, Fla.; three sisters, Carole Culver of Plainwell, Mich., Mary Ann Ballew of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Jayne Ruley of Martha's Vineyard, and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Church on North Summer street in Edgartown at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. A reception will follow at the home of Jayne and Steven Ruley. Memorial contributions may be made to Dr. Spieler Oncology Clinic, Anna Jaques Hospital, 21 Highland avenue, Newburyport, MA 01950.