Thelma Joyce Dickie

Thelma Joyce Dickie of Halifax, passed away peacefully on August 21,2020 having lived a long and full life. Thelma was born in Elmsdale, on July 26, 1919, the youngest daughter of James Densmore and Goretta Jane (Jennie) Hines. She had a happy childhood growing up on a dairy farm on the banks of the Shubenacadie River. Some of her favourite memories were of running barefoot to take the cows to their summer pasture, riding horseback and of floating on the river in a boat while reading a book or gazing at the wonders beneath the surface of the water. Thelma attended school in the two-room Elmsdale school from school age through to grade 11. As grade 12 was not offered in Elmsdale, she travelled daily by train to Halifax to attend the Halifax Academy to complete her high school education. In the spring of 1938 she was graduated from the Provincial Normal College in Truro but had to wait until her mid summer birthday to be old enough to receive her teaching license. The first six years of her teaching career were spent in one and two-room schools in the communities of Lakeside, Windsor Junction and Elmsdale. Thinking that the male soldiers returning from the WWII would take the available teaching positions, she decided to train as an obstetrical nurse. In the spring of 1946, at the Grace Maternity Hospital's graduation exercises, she was awarded the school's proficiency prize. On July 20, 1941 Thelma had married her soldier, William Earle Dickie of Stewiacke. Shortly after their marriage he sailed for England with the Canadian army and four years of war. The accompanying photo was the one Bill carried in his map case from England to the beaches of Normandy and on to the Netherlands. Thelma and Bill were blessed to celebrate 67 years of marriage before Bill's death in 2009. While raising a family of four children in Fairview, Thelma substituted in the area schools. When her children grew older she accepted a teaching position at Sir Frederick Fraser School for the Blind where she remained until her retirement at the age of 65. To better understand the work of her blind students she completed the Grade 2 Braille course given by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Following retirement she travelled extensively in North America and Europe. When she and her husband were not travelling she took courses at Mount Saint Vincent University where she was granted a Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 79. Thelma was a long-time member of Fairview United Church. She was an Elder, a Sunday school teacher, a Messenger leader and a Life Member of the United Church Women (UCW). She was a Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) leader and a member of a group of former CGIT leaders until her death. She loved the United Church Camp in Berwick, from the first time she attended in 1942. She spent many happy family times under the camp hemlocks with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving, fun, amazing grandmother who was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thelma was an avid reader and an exceptional cook known for her delicious apple pie and creamy brown sugar fudge. She especially enjoyed time spent with her dear friend, Lynne Fiske on adventures such as beach days with their nine children. Many happy memories involved time spent with the players and spouses of the Fairview Aces Volleyball team on which team her husband, Bill, was a player. In her youth she played second base on the Elmsdale ladies softball team travelling to games in the neighbouring villages in the open back of a milk truck. Playing on that team led to an enduring love of ball playing and cheering for her favourite team, the Toronto Blue Jays. Thelma is survived by her children, Judy Rondeau, John (Lee) Dickie, Stephen Dickie and Christine (Norman) Williams; grandchildren, Mark (Rose) Rondeau, Jeffrey Rondeau, Suzanne (Paul) Burke, Joshua (Monica Pearson) Williams, Zachary Williams, Jessica (Brandon Averill) and Benjamin Williams; great-grandchildren, Timothy Burke, Jacob Burke, Seleucia Williams, Percival Williams and Charlie Averill; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Hines, Ann Poser and Avis Tufts; brothers-in-law, Don Montrose and Hugh Heasler; many nieces and nephews, including special niece, Jane Parker; and her good friend Shirley Singer. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; siblings, Clementine (Charles) Forbes, Madeleine (Ross) Fraser, Jennie (Donald) Barkhouse and James Hines; sisters-in-law, Sarah (Craig) Taylor, Celia Heasler, Jean (Menzie) Stewart and Joan Montrose; brothers-in-law, Howard (Gwen) Dickie and Harry Dickie. A family service will be held at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery, Stewiacke East. Donations in Thelma's memory may be made to Berwick United Church Camp, 9191 Hwy. 7, Head of Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0 or treasureruccma@ gmail.com or the charity of one's choice. Condolences for the family may be offered at: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com