Alice B. Haughwout

With her zest for life and deep desire to understand other human beings, Penny made an occasion of every moment. She was known to find pianos in closed off restaurant rooms to play songs, give help to anyone who asked and many that didn’t, take in friends or acquaintances who needed a place to stay or were having crying spells, treasure small animals (or grandchildren) calling many of them - Litta Fella, make-up multi-syllabic punctuated nick-names for each friend, write long letters to piano students who’d moved away for college, and to always listen — no matter how many times she’d heard it before. She taught us that the difference between adversity and adventure was attitude. Even if the boat ran aground, it was an opportunity for joyful celebration.

Alice Gates (dearly known as Penny) was born in 1922 in Burma to Dr. Gordon E. & Helen Gates, missionary parents. A research biologist and the world’s authority on Burmese Earthworms, her father taught Biology to medical students at the University of Rangoon.

When Alice and her older sister Evelyn Gates (Moriarity) were old enough they were sent to school in Granville, Ohio for an American education. While playing a character named “Penny” in a high school play, Alice acquired the name which held throughout her life.

Penny spent summers in Bangor, Maine and at the family summer camp on Green Lake with her maternal Grandmother and Grandfather. She attended Bates College in Maine majoring in English, where she married John MacDonald.

She later enrolled in New York University to study Music Education & Theater, where she met her second husband Ted Bott who also attended NYU.

When Ted was hired to teach music in the public schools, they moved to Greenwich. As their family grew, (their beloved Nichola and Tim) Penny began to take teaching jobs also. She taught at the New Lebanon School. While there, she wrote a musical — The Elephant's Child from the story written by Rudyard Kipling, for her students. She was a music teacher at King School and Long Ridge School. For over sixty years Penny taught piano lessons privately. To the delight (or dismay) of her students, she was known for frequent, bustling recitals.

Also known for her colorful yearly Christmas Carol parties, Penny wrote musical parodies and poetry. She played organ and was Choir Director at the North Greenwich Congregational Church. A lover of choral music, she was a long time member of the Greenwich Choral Society and the Stamford MasterSingers.

Penny’s gift for deep listening contributed to her interviews for Greenwich Library’s Oral History Project where she was responsible for scores of interviews in their collection.

An advocate for many causes, she was an active member in the Lisle Fellowship Program, a Trustee in Bucktrout Braithwaite Memorial Foundation for the revitalization of Williamsburgh, VA, and a strong voice in Byram River’s Pollution Abatement Association.

During her marriage to Alex Haughwout, Penny delighted in sailing Sea Fever, a forty-four foot sloop, with adventuresome friends and family, exploring waters near and far, always searching out life’s celebrations with joy in the company of those she loved.

Penny is survived by her two children - Dr. Nichola Bott (Frank Moore) and Tim Bott (Mary), her five grandchildren: Kaitlin, Andrew, Susie, Ted & Eric.

Penny loved deeply and was a beloved friend and surrogate mother to many. It was a joy to know her.

Beloved mother, friend, teacher, surrogate mother, we wish you enchanting winds and a joyful passage.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Lisle Fellowship or Masonicare Home Health & Hospice

For more information & memorial: Gallagher Funeral Home http://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-us/search/obit-search-landing.page?searchlocationonly=1

Please visit: Facebook/ Penny Haughwout https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-Haughwout/921941917820511?ref=br_tf where we invite you to add anecdotes, pictures and comments