Providence Journal, January 15, 1991, page A-03. Narragansett woman found frozen to death. NARRAGANSETT - An 87-year-old woman froze to death Saturday when she wandered outside in frigid temperatures wearing only light clothing and slippers, authorities said. Ethel T. Affelder was found shortly after noon in a driveway near her house by a neighbor and a health aide who was bringing her groceries. South Kingston police said Mrs. Affelder, who lived alone at 10 Beach Row, Jerusalem, and suffered from Alzheimer's disease, may have locked herself out of the house and became disoriented. Although the seaside village of Jerusalem is in Narragansett, South Kingston police respond to emergencies there. Dr. Francis Garrity, a state medical examiner, ruled that Mrs. Affelder died of hypothermia, a lowering of the body temperature caused by exposure. It was not known how long she was outside. Temperatures were in the mid-20s with a wind chill factor of less than 10 degrees. Police said Elaine Raitano, an aide with the elderly-care organization Partners in Aging, went to Mrs. Affelders house about noon, found the doors locked and became concerned when she could not find Mrs. Affelder. Raitano and a neighbor, James Shore of 2o Beach Row, searched the area and found Mrs Affelder, unconscious, in a driveway two houses away. Shore said yesterday that Mrs. Affelder was wearing only sweatpants, a lightweight sweater and sock-type slippers. The death was the second of its kind in Rhode Island in two days. A 2 1/2 year-old Middletown girl died Friday morning several hours after she wandered outside clad only in her pajamas. Mrs. Affelder was born in New Bedford, Mass., a daughter of the late Clifford and Ada (Yates) Teachman. She had lived in Narrgansett 50 years. She leaves a daughter, Marilyn T. Affelder of San Francisco. The funeral and burial will be private.