Celia M. Dion

Waltham – Mrs. Celia M. (DeMichele) Dion, of Waltham, died Friday, October 28, 2011 at Meadow Green Nursing Home in Waltham. She was 84.

Celia was born in Newton on December 6, 1926, a daughter of the late Henry and Rose (Pisano) Dion, and was raised and educated in the Upper Falls section. She was a longtime Waltham resident and before moving to Meadow Green some months ago she had lived at Waltham Crossings. Celia and her family had been residents of Hillcrest Road for a number of years.

Until her retirement she worked in the accounting and finance office at Brandeis University in Waltham. Celia volunteered for several organizations over the years including Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Waltham's Connie Mack Baseball League, at Waltham Crossings, at various Waltham High School sporting events and at Our Lady's Church in Waltham where she belonged to the Altar Guild and helped out at CYO and the weekly bingo games to benefit the parish. She was also active with the local political scene in Waltham.

Celia will best be remembered by her family and friends however as being warm, loving, kind and generous – always happy and optimistic throughout her life and willing to lend a hand to the people and organizations who came to depend on her. Even when she had to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease she found her greatest joy helping others and being in the company of those she loved and cared about.

Her husband of 56 years, Robert L. Dion, died April 7, 2005.

She leaves her children, Maureen Dion-Perry and her husband, Ed, of Camino, California, Robert L. Dion, Jr. of Waltham and Carol Dion Lees of Dracut; her grandchildren, Alison Dion Perry, Jillian Dion Lees and Lauryn Dion Lees; her sister, Emma Ferguson of Newton and many nieces and nephews.

Celia was also a sister of the late Henry, Carmen and John DeMichele, Ida Essman, Clara Gerelds and Alice Runyon.

Family and friends will honor and remember Celia's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, November 2nd, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady's Parish, 920R Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.