Alice A Baron

ROCHDALE/STURBRIDGE – Alice A. Baron, 77, of Rochdale died on January 23rd, 2025, after an illness.

Born May 17th, 1947 at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge MA, she was the only child of Francis A. “Millie/Fran” (Nichols) Baron (1906-1966) and Anthony “Tim” Baron (1909-1978) of Sturbridge, MA. 

Alice was raised on the family dairy farm in Sturbridge/Charlton, MA. She lived there after the death of her parents with her father’s brother, her Uncle Joe (1907-2001), who became a second father to her. Several cousins and their children also pre-deceased her. 

Alice leaves three living cousins, Barbara Flaherty of Lancaster, PA, Donald R. Provost of Chestnut Hill, MA, and Richard Zamoita of Cherry Valley, MA. She also leaves several second cousins and other relations. 

Alice attended the Sturbridge Public Schools, graduating from Tantasqua Regional High School in 1965. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst in 1969 with Bachelors in Art. Alice taught art in the primary grades for several years in the Webster (MA) Public Schools. She also took graduate classes in Art Education at Assumption College, Worcester, MA. During her college years, Alice took summer classes at the Worcester Craft Center in Enameling, Jewelry/Silver-smithing, and Weaving, all while working as an art teacher. She also took a class in Pewter-smithing at the Brookfield (CT) Craft Center. During this time, Alice was active in the Sturbridge Art Association and served as it’s President one year. While at UMass, Alice was a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Theta chapter, National Service Sorority. She was voted “Outstanding Sister” in 1969. 

Returning to school, Alice graduated from Southern Connecticut State College with a Masters in Library Science in 1975. Alice took classes in Business/Accounting at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA. She worked as a school librarian at West Brookfield (MA) Elementary School for several years, then went on to work at Becker College libraries as at Cataloger and Reference Librarian for 20 years. Then she worked as the Circulation ILL, and Serials Librarian at Anna Maria College (Paxton, MA) until retiring in 2014. 

Alice enjoyed reading, especially mystery and romance novels. Collecting owls, teddy bears and other stuffed animals, as well as Christmas items, including Santas, snowmen, and Christmas ornaments. Also, she collected handkerchiefs, postcards, and tin containers. 

Alice made many crafts and enjoyed sewing clothing for herself. She made many Christmas ornaments, Santas, snowmen, dolls, and other holiday items. In the 1990’s, she made many items for sale at Pat Pelletier’s Calicos Crib annual, “Open House” in East Brookfield, MA, in October of each year where she also helped out. 

After retiring, Alice joined her good friend Nancy at the Dudley (MA) Public Library weekly Knitting Group, making lap robes, hates and scarves and other items for hospitals and shelters. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a library of choice. 

No calling hours will be held and burial will be private in North Cemetery, Sturbridge, MA, beside her parents and uncle.

Arrangements are under the care of Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA, 01550.