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Lucetta Sharp Alderfer died on Thursday, March 10, 2016, at The Quadrangle, just short of her 99th birthday. She was the widow of the late S. Stanley Alderfer. She was born in Fredericksburg, PA to Mabel Bressler and Allen Michael Sharp and lived in Freeland, PA until she graduated from Wellesley College. She taught for a year at the Buckingham School in Cambridge, MA and then at the Exeter Day School in Exeter, NH where she taught for 6 more years. For three of those years she served as principal of the school. In 1947 she was appointed head of the Agnes Irwin Lower School, a position she held for 23 years. She received her MA from Bryn Mawr College and taught at Cushing Junior College, Bryn Mawr, PA for 7 years. Active in professional organizations, she was among those who founded the Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic Schools (PAPAS), and an organization to accredit independent elementary school, the first in the nation. For 6 years, she served as secretary in charge of evaluations. For many years she was on committees of the National Association of Independent Schools. She was an honorary board member of the MMI Preparatory School in Freeland, PA. The Agnes Irwin School recognized her contribution to education by presenting her the M. Penney Moss Award in 2006. A member of the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA, she was secretary of the Vestry and active on the Outreach Committee. As part of that effort she established the HEART Fund which supplies emergency assistance to those in need, She joined other Main Line faith communities to help found the Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHN-ML) which serves homeless families with children. Other volunteer activities included coordinating the graduate alumnae of Bryn Mawr College for five years, for which she was awarded in 1980 the “volunteer of the year” award. She served her class at Wellesley College as president, secretary, treasurer and class representative. At The Quadrangle she chaired the Committee on Government Affairs and was cited in 2008 by the Commissioners of Haverford Township for her service to the community. Mrs. Alderfer was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia. She enjoyed playing tennis and was a member of the Bryn Mawr Racquet Club. As a licensed pilot, she was a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the 99’s, an organization for women pilots. Lucetta is survived by two brothers, Edward Sharp of Freeland, PA and James Sharp of West Hartford, CT. Also surviving are two step-daughters, several nieces, grandnieces and grand nephews. Her Burial Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the HEART Fund at the Church of the Redeemer, 230 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr 19010 or to The Agnes Irwin School, Ithan Avenue & Conestoga Road, Rosemont, PA 19010-1042.

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Lucetta Sharp Alderfer

April 5, 1917 - March 10, 2016