Obituary of Joan Dickie

Joan Ruth (Norden) Dickie, a resident of Burlington for over 66 years passed away after a lengthy illness at the Lahey Clinic Hospital in Burlington. She was 79 years old. Joan was born in the family home in Reading, Massachusetts and was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Norden. Her family moved from Reading to Burlington when Joan was 12 years old where she graduated from Burlington High School, Class of 1952 and then from Secretarial School. She married Franklin Dickie when she was 20 years old and they had 4 boys: Franklin, Mark, Richard & Eric. Joan was a stay at home mother and who was kept busy with four very active boys. When her youngest son was just 6 years old, Joan’s husband Franklin suffered a heart attack and passed away, leaving Joan to raise her sons. She then went back to work at Donovan’s Plating Co. and as a sales clerk at Marshall’s and Bradlees Department Stores later on. Joan was a strong willed and independent woman who unselfishly put the needs of her sons and family above her own. She was a fighter and was a Breast Cancer Survivor for over 35 years. She lovingly opened her home and cared for her father in his later years until his passing. Her greatest joy was her 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She adored each one of them, and would do whatever she could to make them happy including making countless pairs of Ruby Red shoes so her granddaughter would match Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ. Once a week, Joan and her cousins would meet, knit, share stories, laugh, and sometimes blow off a little steam. Joan simply did her best and would consider her greatest accomplishment was that of her family. Joan was the loving wife of the late Franklin “Mickey” Dickie. She was the loving mother of Franklin J. Dickie, Jr. and his wife Jodi of Burlington, Mark & his fiancée Nadine DeSimone of Winchedon, Richard & his wife Carol of Lowell, and Eric & his wife Robin of Burlington. She was the sister of Mary Doucette of Woburn, John Norden of Norway, ME, and late Marjorie Brogna of Burlington. Joan was also survived by 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 4-8 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Bedford St., Burlington on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701.