FUNERAL HOME

John F. Tierney Funeral Home

219 West Center Street

Manchester, Connecticut

Lois Dion-Roberts Obituary

Lois Jean Dion-Roberts, 87, of Manchester, died Jan. 31, 2016.

Lois Jean was born May 8, 1928, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Mary Day. She attended Manchester High School and went on to St. Joseph College, School of Nursing, graduating in 1950 with Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and a teaching certificate for secondary school in biology and chemistry. She later returned to St. Joseph College and graduated in 1970 with an master's degree to teach Grades 1 through 8. In 1950, Lois Jean was the head nurse at Manchester Convalescent Home for a couple of years and then became a visiting nurse for Boston Public Health Nurses Association and later for the Hartford Public Health Nurses Association. She then changed careers, and from 1970 to 1990 was a teacher in Manchester at Bennett Junior High teaching math and biology, and then at Manchester High School where she taught biology, chemistry, and health.

Lois Jean was a loving, caring wife and mother. She was very creative and made many beautiful wreaths and decorative things. She had a talent for gardening. She was very active and enjoyed playing tennis and doing aerobics. She ran the Manchester Road Race from 1990 to 2005 (stopping when she was 77). Lois Jean was Italian, and although she spoke only a few words, she loved to listen to Italian music and would sing along. Dancing was another love. She did square dancing and particularly loved to polka.

Lois Jean is survived by four children, Maryann Altieri, Donna Murphy and her husband, Richard Murphy, Mark Dion, and Michael Dion and his wife, Lisa Dion. She had eight grandchildren, survived by seven, and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Theresa Vontell. Lois Jean was also predeceased by her loving husband of 51 years, Wilfred "Bill" F. Dion, and her second husband, whom she married a couple of years after Bill's death at the age of 77, John (Jack) L. Roberts, and spent 4½ happy years with him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at St. James Church 896 Main St., Manchester. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery.

Family and friends may call at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester, Thursday, Feb. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.

For online condolences, visit

www.tierneyfuneralhome.com

Published by Journal Inquirer from Feb. 2 to Feb. 6, 2016.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Lois Dion-Roberts

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

To my cousins,
I am so sorry for aunt lois passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
Dotty Wierzbicki

Dorothy Wierzbicki

February 4, 2016

Dotty Wierzbicki

February 4, 2016

Thank you Mrs. Dion for being one of the teachers at Bennet I will always remember.

Lisa Campbell

February 2, 2016

Wow, now that is a life well lived. She was the greatest teacher, one of my all time favorites. As I said on Facebook I saw her years and years later on Main Street and she still remembered me and recounted a couple of funny stories. My sympathies to her family for losing such a great woman.

Janet McCann

February 2, 2016

To the Family of Lois-Jean,

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.

Sincerely,
Sarah Blanchard
Director of Alumni Relations
University of Saint Joseph
(formerly Saint Joseph College)

February 2, 2016

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in Lois Dion-Roberts's name

Memorial Events
for Lois Dion-Roberts

Feb

4

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

John F. Tierney Funeral Home

219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040

Feb

5

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m.

St. James Church

896 Main St., Manchester, CT

Feb

5

Burial

St. James Cemetery

CT

Funeral services provided by:

John F. Tierney Funeral Home

219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040

How to support Lois's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Lois Dion-Roberts's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more