Hatboro Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander Dies Suddenly Monday

HATBORO, PA —Hatboro Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander died suddenly Monday evening, borough officials have announced.

"Borough Council, Mayor Schultz, and Borough Staff are deeply saddened by her sudden passing and we cannot thank her and her family enough for everything they have done for our town," borough officials posted on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

A cause of death was not revealed. Ostrander was absent for Monday's committee meeting and budget presentation.

Borough officials said that Ostrander and her husband Mike "showed their love and passion for our small town through volunteering" and raised three children in Hatboro as residents for 30 years.

Ostrander was first appointed to Borough Council in May 2006 and served until Dec. 31, 2011.

During her first stint, she served on the public relations and community information committee, public safety committee, finance committee, and library committee.

She was re-elected to the council in 2019 and served a second term from Jan. 1, 2020, through the present time.

During her recent term, Ostrander chaired the Public Safety Committee, chaired the Facilities Committee, served on the Public Works Committee, and served on the Pennypack Facility Steering Committee.

"Aleta always had the best interest of Hatboro in mind and worked extremely hard to keep her community safe, enjoyable, and thriving," officials said.

Over the last few months, Aleta devoted herself to helping transform the newly acquired Pennypack Facility alongside the rest of the Pennypack Facility Committee and spearheaded the dedication of the Community Center in memory of long-time Librarian Harriet Ehrsam.

"Aleta’s selflessness and kindness made a lasting impact on the Hatboro Community and all those around her. Her love for Hatboro and bettering our community was truly unmatched," borough officials said Wednesday.

Ostrander graduated from Temple University, and worked in the rehabilitation department at Moss Rehab.

She also volunteered with the Hatboro Emergency Management Team and served as the president, vice president, and treasurer of the Union Library of Hatboro.

Ostrander was also a long-time member of the Red Cross and was a girl scout leader for eight years. Aleta was also a long-time member of Heart 9-11, an organization that helps rebuild after natural disasters and assists communities who have fallen into poverty overseas.

"The company would like to extend our condolences to the friends, family, and to the Borough of Hatboro on the passing of Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander. Our thoughts are with you all," the Enterprise Fire Company posted.