JACQUELYN ALDRIDGE: The Sister
Connection
Jacquelyn
Aldridge's family called her "the connector," because she
was the one who always knew what everyone was up to. Ms.
Aldridge grew up in Tampa but moved to Staten Island in
1979, joining a sister who was living there at the time.
She worked as an accountant for Marsh & McLennan, and
was in constant touch with her two sisters and brother,
even though none of them lived in New York.
"She was always one of those who pulled folks
together," said her oldest sister, Delores P. Aldridge,
who lives in Atlanta. Their parents, who always
emphasized to their children that they should get good
educations, died in the 90's. The siblings remained
close; Delores Aldridge said she talked to Jackie, as her
family called their youngest sibling, once or twice a
week.
Jackie Aldridge married three years ago, to Lafayette
Fredericks, and continued living in Staten Island. She
would have turned 47 this month, said her longtime
friend, Stephanie Wright. She was someone who raced to
take advantage of everything New York City had to offer
-- jazz concerts, plays, new restaurants. "I used to
tease her that she was a girl from Tampa who got New
Yorkanized," Ms. Wright said.
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