Edith Bernadette Dionne

WATERBURY – Edith L. Dionne (Bernie), 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2023, at Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT. Bernie was born December 1, 1939, in St. Helens Lancashire, England, daughter of the late Walter Larton and Edith Sweeney. Bernie left England in 1947, arrived in Canada and then Vermont until 1950. She then moved to New Hampshire and finally settled into Beacon Falls, Connecticut.

Bernie retired from Northeast Transportation where she worked as a city bus driver in Waterbury CT. Prior to Northeast transportation, she worked decades as a school bus driver. She was also an active member of the Teamsters Local # 677. After retiring, Bernie served as President of the Beacon Falls Senior Center where she played an active role in numerous activities, as well as the Senior Center Bus driver. In addition, she supported the Beacon Hose Co. # 1, Beacon Falls, CT.

Bernie’s interests included crocheting, cruising, playing bingo and cards, wii bowling, trips to the casino, baking, listening to Country music, collecting dolls, fundraisers, and charity work.  Bernie’s favorite flowers were yellow roses.  Spending time with family and friends were Bernie’s top priorities in life which also included her bird “Jo-Jo” and other “grand pets”.

She treasured her many weekends with Austin, as well as FaceTimes with Clara.
Bernie was a parishioner of the Hillside Covenant Church in Naugatuck CT.
The entire family thanks everyone for their support, prayers, and words of encouragement during the past months of Bernie’s illness. The numerous cards, visits, phone conversations, texts, Facetime calls, Facebook posts, meals, roses, and orchards all gave her a radiant smile, lighting up her entire face with warmth and joy. Bernie was so fortunate to have made a new friend in rehabilitation – her roommate, Carol Goodwin.

Bernie is survived by her three sons, Patrick Dionne and his wife, Denise, Maurice Dionne, Jr. and his wife, Sharyn, Alphonse Dionne and his fiancé, Lisa Parillo, and two daughters, Lucy Szostek and her late husband, Joseph, and Joanne Dionne-Lord and her husband James. She also leaves behind six grandchildren (Kaitie, Jaimie, Bill, Cassandra, Jay, and Dylan), 12 great grandchildren, an inherited daughter - Donna Jones and her husband Jeffrey, her former husband, Maurice Dionne Sr., as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with friends that she considered family too. Bernie was predeceased by her longtime companion, John Zaccagnini, her three brothers Alvin, Norman & Jack (Larton) and sister Doris (Potter). Bernie was the youngest of five children.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Church of Nativity, 48 East St, Bethlehem, followed by a committal service at the Bethlehem Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bernie’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research hospital, Attention: Memorial processing – Reference ID # 23327339, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, or https://www.stjude.org.