ANNE ALACH

1923 - 2021

ALACH, Anne (Locke) A champion for peace and justice Anne Locke Alach of Cambridge, MA (formerly of Quincy, Milton, and Canton, MA) died peacefully at home on December 17th at the age of 98, surrounded by her family in her final days. Anne was born in Wellsville, NY, on March 24, 1923 and was raised in Springfield, MA. After graduating from high school she attended Bates College in Maine and then moved to Boston where she lived and worked at a settlement house. In 1948, Anne became the secretary at the Henry Wallace for President Committee headquarters, which eventually became the office of the Progressive Party of Massachusetts. Through this work, Anne met James Alach, who would become her husband, and many life-long friends and fellow political activists. Throughout her life she remained committed to progressive political activism and to promoting the causes of peace, justice, and human rights. After moving to Canton, MA, to raise her children, Anne worked at the Martha Eliot Health Center and at Harvard's Center for Community Health and Medical Care. In 1979, she earned a master's degree in library science from Simmons College and became a librarian at a small Harvard Medical School library, where she remained until her retirement. In the last 10 years of her life, Anne thoroughly enjoyed living in her own apartment at Neville Place Assisted Living on Fresh Pond in Cambridge. Anne was creative and imaginative and wrote a series of short children's stories for her grandchildren. She also created a number of whimsical and humorous collages. Nature was her spirituality; she found peace and joy in the natural world and had a particular fondness for the beach and the ocean. Anne was also fascinated by and spent hours studying trees of all types. She loved books and was a voracious reader of both fact and fiction. Anne believed deeply that music and art were essential elements of a full and fulfilling life. Throughout her 98 years, Anne lived and maintained a life of integrity, acceptance, gratitude, and positivity. She strove to live her life without judging others, and loved and supported every member of her family unconditionally. Anne embraced and befriended people of all ages, identities, and cultural backgrounds. She had a deep understanding of how good friends enrich one's life in immeasurable ways. Anne is survived by her sister, Constance Locke, of Portland, ME; her daughter Nancy Alach and her wife Maura Pensak of Cambridge; her son Fred Alach and his wife Carol Maxime of Harvard; her grandchildren Kristine Alach, Sascha Alach, and Jessica Alach; her great-grandson Jackson Polachi; many loving nieces and nephews; and the Blacker/Rynick family. A memorial service will be held in the spring.

View the online memorial for Anne (Locke) ALACH