Nancy Dionne

Nancy (Leighton) Dionne, 89, of East Hartford, loving wife of 62 years of the late Joseph J. Dionne, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024 with her caring family by her side. Born in Cherryfield, Maine on April 25, 1934, a daughter of the late Roger Leighton and Caroline Strout, she had been a resident of East Hartford for over 60 years. Prior to her retirement she was employed for several years by the town of East Hartford Board of Education as a Teacher’s Aide. A devout catholic, she was a faithful communicant of the former Blessed Sacrament Church in East Hartford. Nancy was talented doing needle-point, crochet, and stitch-point. She enjoyed solving jigsaw puzzles, and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, and UConn Men and Women basketball teams. She particularly loved college basketball “March Madness” and always looked forward to competing in “bracketology” with her brackets for both men and women tournaments. Most of all, Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her time with her family, especially supporting her grandsons at baseball games and school activities.

Nancy is survived by her two sons, Jeffrey Dionne of East Hartford, Russell Dionne and his wife Cathy of Newington; a dear friend who was like a son, Dennis Michaud of East Hartford; a brother, Philip Leighton of Zephyrhills, Florida; a sister, Lois Ann Warren of Clinton, Maine; two grandsons, Matthew Dionne and Samuel Dionne both of Newington; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Along with her beloved husband and parents, Nancy was predeceased by a son, Raymond Dionne of East Hartford, and a daughter-in-law, Jeanne (Cyprus) Dionne of Hartford.

A graveside service celebrating Nancy’s life will be Thursday (April 18TH) at 11 am at St. Mary’s Cemetery, (Section G-Extension) Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nancy’s name may be made to the Northeast Regional Office of the Lupus Foundation of America, 65 High Ridge Road, Box 395, Stamford, CT 06905. The D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com