Rose E. Dion

January 9, 1916 - December 14, 2014

COLUMBIA – Mrs. Rose E. Dion, 98, of Columbia, passed away early on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at her home after a brief period of declining health. She was born on Jan. 9, 1916, in Berlin, NH, a daughter to the late Joseph and Mary (Truka) Markovich. She was a 1934 graduate of Berlin High School. Early in her life, Rose worked as a waitress at the Ravine House in Randolph where she met her future husband, Albert. After moving to Colebrook, and later Columbia, and while Mr. Dion managed grocery stores for 1st National, Rose worked as a supervisor for more than 25 years at the Tillotson Rubber Co., in Dixville. She enjoyed sewing, crochet, and knitting, tending her flower garden which she grew from seed, and was known by her family as a very good cook. Even to the last week of her life, Rose’s day was not complete without reading the entire Union Leader and completing most of the puzzles in the paper. She was a communicant at St. Brendan’s Church and a life-long member of the Catholic Women’s Club. As the Town of Columbia's eldest citizen, Rose was honored to be the holder of the Boston Post Cane for the past several years. Rose leaves behind her two children, Peter Dion and wife Helen of Columbia, and Suzanne Gray of Colebrook; two granddaughters, Stephanie Lemay and husband Ryan, and Sara Gray of Colebrook; and three grandchildren, Genevievre, Gaege, and Gabriealla Lemay. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Albert “Pete” Dion in 2006; a brother, Joseph Markovich, and a sister, Mary Lovejoy. Calling hours will be on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Interment will be at St. Brendan’s Cemetery in the spring. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Dion may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o R. Mulliken, 53 Spring St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.