Harriet B. Dickson

SOUTH ORLEANS — Harriet (Brigham) Dickson, 93, of South Orleans, died peacefully at her daughter's home in Shelburne Falls on Thursday, June 24, 2010, after living with Alzheimer's for several years.

Born in Boston on Dec. 8, 1916, the daughter of F. Gorham and Helen Brigham, she grew up in Chestnut Hill, graduating from Winsor School and Bennington College, and in her 60s received her master's degree in special education from Lesley College.

After marrying William A. Dickson of Weston in 1941 and living in various states while he completed his service in the Army as a physician, they settled in Jamaica Plain before moving to Milton and, in semi-retirement, finally moved to South Orleans in 1973.

She was an avid volunteer, sharing her time and talents with a multitude of groups over the years. Once on the Cape, she enjoyed tutoring children with learning disabilities and raised money for the Audubon Bird Sanctuary in Wellfleet. She loved nature and all of its creatures and worked to conserve land for their protection. Her biggest passion was her family and her beloved friends.

Harriet is survived by her husband, William, of South Orleans; and a brother, F. Gorham Brigham Jr., and his wife Amy of West Newton. She leaves behind four children and their spouses: Pat and Ellen Dickson of Leyden, Pete and Rachel Dickson of Freeport, Maine, Tom and MaryJane Dickson of Sconset, and Joanie Dickson and her partner Dave Hopkins of Shelburne Falls; plus six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 320 Boston Post Road, Weston.

Her family requests that any memorial donations be made in her honor to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, P.O. Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663.