Lucille (Axelson) Dickelman of Woburn, MA, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Sept. 9, 2017, at her son’s house in Hollis, NH. After an 8 year courageous struggle with the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, Lucille was, through it all, an inspiration to many. Lucille was born on May 31, 1930 in Hallock, MN, the daughter of the late Olof and Rena Axelson.
Upon high school graduation, Lucille got a scholarship to study Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy at the College of Medical Technology in Minneapolis. After becoming a certified lab technician, she accepted a position at the Neuropathology Dept. at the University of MN. Once she married and moved out east to Massachusetts she worked at Children’s Hospital in Boston where she proudly worked under Dr. Harry Shwachman who was a pioneer for cystic fibrosis treatment and who also developed the Sweat Test to help in diagnosing the disease. She also worked at Holy Ghost Hospital in Cambridge and the Veteran’s Hospital in Boston.
After having children and raising them as a single mother, Lucille briefly worked in the real estate business. She later found a full-time a job as a nanny where she enjoyed helping out with seven children and being able to bring her own two children to work as well. Once her children got older, Lucille returned to histology lab work at the Choate-Symmes Hospital for many years. Thereafter, she went into Marketing and Sales with a number of different companies and was always enthusiastic about her job until her retirement at 79 years old.
Lucille loved to travel to Minnesota to see her many relatives and their growing families. She loved the ocean on occasion but mostly enjoyed traveling to her cottage in Fryeburg, Maine. She was able to spend one summer at the cottage in 2010 with her son David while working on a good amount of repair, remodeling, and installing a point well for the water supply. That summer was absolutely perfect weather and she could still enjoy her walk to the lake with its lovely mountainous views.
Lucille deeply loved her family and is survived by the following family members: her son David Dickelman, of Hollis, NH, and her daughter Elizabeth Cianci and her husband David Robinson of Mont Vernon, NH; her six grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Mark (Nichole) Cianci and their children Toryn, Jovan, Caed, and Kielle; Andrea (Casey) Conway and their daughter Aria; David Cianci; Danielle (Matthew) Ezzo and their son Nolan; Michelle Cianci; and Rachael Cianci. She is also survived by her sister, Evangeline Gunderson from Carver, Minnesota and by many beloved nephews and nieces and their families. She was predeceased by her brothers David Axelson and James Axelson, and her sisters Bernice Lee, Martha Walker, and Ruth Hansen.
The celebration of Lucille’s life and funeral service will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Merrimack Valley Baptist Church (in the Chapel) which is located at 517 Boston Post Road, Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Interment will follow at the North Cemetery in Hollis, New Hampshire.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully and gratefully recommends a donation in Lucille’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
