Lola M. Daigle

Waltham – Mrs. Lola M. (Dykes) Daigle, of Waltham, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at home. She was 74.

Born on August 28, 1937 in Sacramento, California she was a daughter of the late Walton W. and Lola B. (Blackwell) Dykes. She graduated from Grand Union High School where she played saxophone and was honored to play in a Rose Bowl parade. She met and later married Paul A. Daigle, Sr. in Saint Joseph's Church on May 25, 1957. Later that year they moved to Waltham where they settled for 21 years. After a move to Peabody they later retired and returned to Waltham.

Lola graduated from Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley where she earned an associate degree in medical transcription. She worked for many years in the Waltham Hospital Emergency Room. She then worked at Lahey Clinic in the medical office of Dr. Bowlds until retiring in 2003.

Holidays were important times of the year for Lola and her family but none surpassed Christmas. Tradition dictated that following a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner the tables were cleared and Christmas decorating began. They were featured in the newspaper for their annual lighting which included over 33 large hemlock trees. They made it a magical time of year for family, friends and people passing by. And in other times of the year the house looked just as nice. She and her husband had green thumbs and enjoyed working in their award winning yards. Their flower beds, perennial gardens, evergreens and brick patios were all meticulously planned and maintained.

Other interests included music, volunteering, swimming, painting with acrylics, travelling and taking cruises. She belonged to the ladies auxiliary of the French American Club and the Red Hat Society.

Lola was predeceased by her siblings, Raymond Dykes, Dellzelle Beeler, Maryjane MacGregor and close family friend, Bejoe Wesley.

Lola and her husband Paul celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Friday, May 25th.

In addition to her husband she leaves her children, Yvette Daigle and her spouse, Maria, of Waltham and Paul A. Daigle, Jr. and his spouse, Sandy, of Charlton; her grandchildren, Jared, Jessica, Jillian and Holly; her siblings, Donald Dykes, and his wife, Rebecca, in Texas, Betty Renfro and her husband, Bud, in California and Nancy Brandon in Colorado and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Lola's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, June 3rd from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

Memorial donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.