Alden Bryant Werden

Alden Bryant Werden, 31, of Peterborough, passed away on February 10, 2025. He was born in Peterborough on October 5, 1993, the son of Louise Werden (née Preston) and David Werden. 

Alden was raised in both Dublin and Peterborough. He graduated from Dublin Consolidated School, South Meadow School, and Conval High School, where he was a member of the golf team. Most recently he attended Southern New Hampshire University on campus where he majored in Computer Science and discovered a passion for Mathematics. 

Above all else, Alden’s home and his family were his inspiration, his greatest love and joy, the cornerstones of his life. He was a kind and gentle Uncle to his niece Luca and nephew Tomas. Alden was compassionate about the well-being of others. The happiness he brought to the world and his enthusiasm for the outdoors and exploration were second to none. He was courageous, creative, and adventurous. A smart, witty, and inquisitive person, with an infectious smile and laugh. Alden enjoyed thinking about abstract ideas. He was friendly to all, a helpful, generous, and engaging companion. His love and light burns bright in our hearts.

Alden was passionate about traveling with his family. We traveled the world together, adventuring far, to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and throughout the US. 

Alden loved to dance and had recently discovered Contra dancing. He traveled far and wide to many New England Contra dance venues. Live music brought Alden great joy. He played the drums in school band and more recently studied guitar at SNHU. He enjoyed cooking and a variety of hobbies such as whittling, painting, and knitting. Alden valued the friendships he made while engaging in MMOs, Friday Night Magic, and LARP. 

Alden could be found around town, studying at the Peterborough Town Library, Contra Dances at the Townhouse, helping with Wednesday community suppers at the Unitarian Church and the MaxT Makerspace Night Market, or simply relaxing by the Contoocook watching the light reflecting on the water. 

Alden enjoyed immersing himself in nature. He was often out walking the Cranberry Meadow trail up to Miller State Park and exploring regional trails and mountains. He loved to ski and winter was his favorite season. His family and friends often enjoyed a phone call from Alden, from the top of a mountain, or from a trail deep in the woods, followed by a message including a beautiful photograph. This was his way of bringing us along on his journeys. Alden loved bicycling and he could be found riding at MacDowell Dam at sunset, riding the rail trails with friends in Keene, or at the Flow State Mountain biking festival in Ascutney Vermont. 

Alden was proud of his work. He worked in the bakery at Shaws, at the Student Center Concierge Desk at SNHU, and at the Shapiro Library, where he opened the building for the school at daybreak. While in high school, Alden interned at the Bond Wellness Center where he offered encouragement and camaraderie to gym members during their daily group exercise classes. He also worked individually with clients in cardiac rehabilitation. 

Alden will be deeply missed by his mother, Louise Werden, of Peterborough; three sisters, Hope Werden, Devon Werden, and Pembrooke Werden Noreika, her husband Phill Noreika and their children Luca and Tomas, and brother Leland Werden and his wife Danielle Mallory, his Aunt Deborah Loftus, as well as his many cousins and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alden’s name to Miller State Park https://www.nhstateparks.org/about-nh-parks/donate.

Alden’s family will hold a celebration of his life at Cathedral of the Pines in the summertime.