Ruby E. Dione

Ruby "Frankie" (Russ) Dione, 91, beloved wife for 62 years to the late Richard N. Dione, entered eternal rest on Sunday September 29, 2013 at Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, where she received loving and attentive care. Ruby was born in London, England, where she attended the Lyham Road School and won the Peek Prize. As a young woman, she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's branch of the British Army during WWII. While stationed with the ATS in Winchester, England, Ruby met and married Richard Dione, who was stationed nearby with the U. S. Army. After the war, they moved to Connecticut, where Ruby worked at Aetna and later at W. T. Grant. There in the mid-1960s she met her dear and constant friend Kathy Pope. Until retinitis pigmentosa robbed Ruby of her sight, she enjoyed hooking rugs, knitting, crocheting, and reading; after she became completely blind, she took pleasure from her talking books. Ruby passed on her love of literature to her daughter Jill F. Dione of Pittsburgh, PA and her love of animals to her daughter Kim E. Dione of Lebanon, CT, both of whom she leaves behind, in addition to Kim's partner Bill Shewan and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, all of whom knew Ruby as "Aunt Frankie." She was predeceased by her only sibling, her brother Frederick "Jack" Russ. Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic has been entrusted with final arrangements, which are private, though an internment of ashes within the grave of her husband Richard Dione will be scheduled in the future. If desired, donations may be made to any of the following: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 424 East 92nd St., New York, NY 10128; Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), 2100 L St., NW, Washington D. C. 20037; Foundation Fighting Blindness, P. O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21298-9581; or Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, 100 Warren Circle, Storrs, CT 06268. For online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .