Edith A. Dion

Edith A. (Cecchi) Dion, age 90, passed away in the Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Born in Somerville, Massachusetts on March 23, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Lena (Guisti) Cecchi. She spent her early years in Somerville before settling with her family in Walpole, Massachusetts. Edith was educated in the Walpole Public Schools and while attending Walpole High School, she picked up a part time job with Petracca's Bowling Alley, setting the pins. She went on to graduate from Walpole High School with the Class of 1944 and took a secretarial position with Bird and Son in East Walpole.

In 1947, Edith met her husband to be, Joseph F. Dion, Jr., on a blind date at the Roll Land roller skating rink in Norwood. They were married two years later, on February 6, 1949 in Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole. The young couple made their home together in Walpole, where they would welcome 5 boys over the next 20 years. Initially, Edith took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her young family, and was known as the "General" because of her feisty and focused disposition derived from her Italian roots. While she was the Queen of the Castle, she always made sure to celebrate all her children's accomplishments and never declared that she had a "favorite son." However, as her children grew up, she returned to the working world, taking a position with the admitting office at Norwood Hospital.

Edith kept a very busy social calendar, regularly going dancing with Joe and their close band of friends. She enjoyed playing tennis with friends at both Bird Park and Wimbledon 109 in Westwood. Tuesdays were reserved for bowling with the ladies at both the Hi Way Bowl A Way on Route 1 in Walpole and the Norwood Sports Center, always followed by a few games of cards at one of the ladies homes. In addition, she was a dedicated member of the Red Hat Society, attending the functions and meeting regularly. She enjoyed her quiet time as well, spending time riding her bicycle along the Cape Cod Canal and the Cape Cod Bike Trail or relaxing at home, painting, knitting beautiful afghans for her entire family and caring for her gardens around the house. Edith also enjoyed shopping right from her living room on the QVC and Home Shopping Channels.

As a true Italian mother, Edith loved spending time with her family. She was a devoted wife of 68 years, and loved spending time with her husband. She and Joe enjoyed spending their summers at the Cove in Yarmouth and returned to Brewster Green every winter to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Edith welcomed her children with open arms whenever they came to visit and loved taking vacations with their families. After welcoming her grandchildren, Edith was sure to support them in any way she could, attending volleyball games, dance recitals, school plays, graduations, and weddings. She made a habit of spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren with gumballs, candy, and bread & butter slices. Edith was the matriarch of the family and as such loved hosting family gathering and holidays, where she could put her culinary skills to work, showcasing her lasagna and famous apple pie. After dinner, Edith could always be found surrounded by those that she loved and her feistiness would come out, as she lovingly teased Grampy and her boys.

Beloved wife of the late Joseph F. Dion, Jr.
Loving mother of Richard J. Dion and his wife Donna of Taunton, Keith F. Dion and his wife Debra of Norton, Craig W. Dion of Los Angeles, J. Scott Dion of Bellingham, and Stephen R. Dion and his wife Anne Marie of Walpole.
Cherished grandmother of Jennifer, Christine, Jason, Nicole, Scott, Jamie, Jon, and Leia, and great grandmother of Gracie, Logan, Lillian, and Edith Marie.
Sister of the late William Cecchi, Mary Collins, Henry Cecchi, Jr. and Florio Cecchi.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Edith's Life Celebration on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 4-8 PM and Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.