Elaine Doris Dionne

Ledyard - Elaine Doris Jauron Dionne, 89, entered the arms of her Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at UMASS Hospital in Worcester, Mass.

She was born in Nashua, N.H. on Sept. 30, 1923, to the late Pio V. and Inez (Wilkins) Jauron. After graduating high school, she married her beloved husband, Philip Dionne, who predeceased her in 2009. Together they worked and raised their family, settling in Gales Ferry.

Elaine worked during the war making parachutes, then married Phil and became the consummate "navy wife" and mother. When the youngest of her children were in school, she went on to work at D & L in Groton as a sales associate until her retirement.

She was a member of: the Ledyard Garden Club, Ledyard Senior Center, Fleet Reserve Association Aux., both the Alter Guild and the Ladies Aux. of St. David's in Gales Ferry. Elaine was very devoted to St. David's, teaching religious education (Sunday school) for many years where her artistic talents came through.

Often you could catch Elaine singing to any genre of music that was playing at the time and if you were lucky she would be dancing, too. Hearing her on Sundays singing hymns was like hearing the birds sing in early spring. Elaine often told "the kids" to "go outside and play" truly believing "fresh air is good for you and will make you feel better." She loved children and pets of every type and seemed to enjoy them even more when they were a bit of trouble.

Her greatest achievement and love was her family.

Elaine spent the last of her retirement years at Atria Cross Roads in Waterford, until she moved in w/her loving son and daughter-in-law, in Brooklyn. Elaine was a kind, loving soul with an open heart who touched people in all her communities throughout her life. Most everyone she met through her kids just called her mom, and she loved answering them.

She is survived by her children, Charles Dionne and his wife, Robin Dority, Patricia Dionne and her partner, Joy Lusier, Linda Lavallee and her husband, Rene, Ellen Heidler and her husband, Chris, and Yvette Dionne and her husband, Kevin Cheney; a sister, Myrtle Latvis; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Dionne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Rick Dionne; brothers, Paul Jauron, Robert Jauron; and sisters, Albina Gallant, Lucille Jauron and Madeline Jauron.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 at Church & Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich. Funeral Services will be held at noon on Saturday, at St. David Episcopal Church, Gales Ferry. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association or St. David Church.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.churchandallen.com