Joan Marie Aldrich

Joan Marie Aldrich, who was known as Mimi and with her husband had owned several Sag Harbor businesses, died on Sept. 8 at Scott White Hospital in Temple, Tex., of complications from diabetes. She was 81, and had been ill for some time. Her three children and a number of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with her at the time of her death, her family said.

Ms. Aldrich and her husband, Robert W. Aldrich, who married in 1954, had owned Aldrich Transportation Service, the Foxes restaurant, and the Cinderella Shop on Main Street in Sag Harbor. They lived in Sag Harbor, where they brought up their children, until 1984, when they moved to Northwest Woods, East Hampton. Mr.  Aldrich, who was also village police officer for 27 years, While raising her children, Ms. Aldrich took part in many other children’s lives. She worked for the Sag Harbor School District for many years, volunteering her time and creativity, her family said, to make costumes for school plays, whether her children had lead roles or not. She welcomed many of them to the family house on Ackerly Street, offering help on any project, a meal, or a hug.

Ms. Aldrich was born in Gloucester, Mass., on June 21, 1933, a daughter of Howard Fry and the former Ruth Johanson.

She is survived by her children, Donna Wiser of Lorena, Tex., Debbie Falborn of Center Moriches, and Scott Aldrich of East Hampton, as well as 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life was held in Texas. Another will take place in East Hampton on a date to be announced.