1923 - 2018
COOPERSTOWN – Alice L. Talbot, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family by her side early Thursday morning, May 10, 2018, at The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in Cooperstown. The widow of Howard C. Talbot, Jr., former Director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, she was 94.
Born June 11, 1923, in White Plains, Alice Caroline Losee was the eldest child of Edward Samuel Losee and Bertha Weiss Losee.
In her youth she attended East New York School in Brooklyn, near Ebbets Field. She was first employed as an I.B.M. operator for National City Bank in Brooklyn. On June 1, 1944, Alice entered into active service with the United States Navy and proudly served her country during World War II. Upon receiving her Honorable Discharge from the Military on March 4, 1946, Seaman First Class Losee followed her family from Brooklyn to Edmeston. Alice then joined New York Central Mutual as a keypunch operator.
On September 11, 1948, Alice married Howard Chase Talbot, Jr. in a ceremony at the Second Baptist Church of Edmeston. They met in the youth choir and their shared fondness of music continued throughout their marriage. Soon after they wed, Alice and Howard moved to Cooperstown where they made their home first on Walnut Street before settling in at 95 Pioneer Street. They raised their family and remained there for 60 years. While Howard was “the Mayor of Pioneer Street”, Alice was “The First Lady”. Even with their busy work and family schedules, they always enjoyed sitting together on their front porch and eagerly welcomed family, neighbors, friends and passers-by for conversation and camaraderie.
Although she never graduated from high school, Alice was an ambitious student who enjoyed learning. She earned her GED and took night courses in accounting. She returned to work as her children grew older and did the first Medicare billing for Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. Alice also worked for the Otsego County Forestry Service and for the Real Property Tax Department for Otsego County. She retired at age 63.
Being the wife of the Director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum meant that Alice was directly involved with many of her husband’s work-related affairs. At one particular Hall of Fame event that she was nervous to attend, new Hall of Fame Inductee “Pee Wee” Reese came over to meet her. Upon learning that he was her favorite ball player of all time, he embraced her and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then told her that she was indeed an important part of the Hall of Fame family by virtue of being married to Howard.
While living in Cooperstown, Alice was involved in many organizations, including as a volunteer at Bassett Hospital. She was a member of the Criterion Club, the Cooperstown Woman’s Club, and the Native Daughters of Cooperstown. She and Howard utilized the facilities at The Clark Sports Center including participation in bowling leagues, and Alice was also an avid Bridge player. They enjoyed early morning walks together and loved to take long drives around the countryside with no particular destination in mind. Alice continued this tradition of excursions on local country roads with her family in recent weeks even as her health declined.
Alice and Howard moved to The Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home in the spring of 2015. After losing her husband, Alice settled into widowhood and was an active resident who enjoyed participating in all of the varied activities offered at the home. Crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles filled her quiet time. Alice lived in comfort with her fellow residents while the staff provided her with the most compassionate care and true friendship. They became, and will remain, her extended family.
The two most important things in Alice’s life were her strong Christian faith and dedication to her loved ones.
Alice and Howard were devoted members of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. Through the years she taught Sunday School, was a member of the Fidelis Guild (now the Women’s Guild) helped with rummage sales and in the kitchen with church suppers. She also enjoyed singing in the choir, and often sang duets with Howard.
Alice's affection and love for her family was boundless. She was willing to participate in activities outside of her comfort if it meant being with her family, and they were always eager and grateful to have her join in the fun, which included hiking in her mid-sixties, parasailing at age seventy and boat rides into her nineties. She is survived by her three children, Julia T. DeLaurentiis and husband, Thomas, of Morris, Judy Talbot of Liverpool and Cooperstown, and James C. Talbot of Fayetteville; one granddaughter, Teresa M. DeLaurentiis and her husband, William C. Burdick of Morris; two great granddaughters, Fiorenza Marie Burdick and Silvana Marie Burdick; a sister-in-law, Jean Losee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, Howard, who died July 18, 2015; three brothers, Robert (and his wife, Nellie), Frank and Edward Losee; and a sister, Florence (and her husband Graydon) France.
A visitation will be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, when the Talbot family will receive friends.
A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018,
at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Joseph Perdue,
pastor, and the Rev. Betsy Jay, officiating.
Immediately following the service at church her funeral procession will pause by their former home on Pioneer Street, and then wind its’ way through village streets to Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown for the service of committal and burial. A reception will follow at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown.
The Talbot Family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to The First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 19 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements were under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.