LEBANON, NH — Blanche Lillian Dion, age 102, passed away at home surrounded by her family, on Saturday, September 26, 2020. She was born in Lebanon, NH on March 8, 1918 to Amelia Mary (Beland) and Louis James Brissette. Blanche married Ernest Delfice Dion on August 20, 1938.
Blanche became the matriarch of the legendary ski jumping family, the “Flying Dions.” She was a devoted wife and mother, supporting her family in every endeavor. Her husband, Ernie, himself a ski champion and coach, developed Snow Crest Ski Area, which would become Whaleback, and drove the revitalization of Storrs Hill. The couple’s two sons followed their father into the American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame.
Blanche was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, as well as the Lebanon Outing Club.
A life-long resident of Lebanon, Blanche was presented the Boston Post Cane on May 15, 2019 as the town’s most senior resident.
Blanche is survived by her sons, Roger E. (Donna) Dion of Vero Beach, Florida and Douglas P. (Joyce) Dion of The Villages, Florida, and grandchildren, Kim Marie Franco of Vero Beach, Florida, Sheri Lynn Dion of Jupiter, Florida, Roger E. Dion, Jr. of Vero Beach, Florida, René Lynn Kauffman of Aiken, South Carolina, and Ty Douglas Dion of Vance, South Carolina.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Amelia Brissette; husband, Ernest D. Dion; and siblings, Gertrude Dunham Forrest, Clarence Brissette, and Theresa Poland.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Committal prayers will follow at Valley Cemetery.
Memorial donations in her name may be made to Sacred Heart Parish, P.O. Box 482, Lebanon, NH 03766.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.