ASHLAND: Susan P. (Pavlovich) Dickerman, 68, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends on Thursday, February 14, 2013 following a courageous and dignified battle with cancer. She has been a resident of Ashland for the past 19 years and previously resided in Framingham, Hartford, and West Springfield.
Susan was born in Milwaukee, WI on February 21, 1944 the daughter of the late John Pavlovich and Maree (Kingston) Pavlovich of Cudahy, WI. Susan was a graduate of Cudahy High School in Wisconsin where she spent her formative years playing in the band and volunteering at the YMCA. She received her degree from Springfield College. Susan went on be an Elementary, Special Education Teacher, Christian Educator, and Youth Leader. Susan has had a long and distinguished career at the Mass Conference of the United Church of Christ in Framingham for 26 years and just recently retired. For 27 years, she had been the Director of Religious Education for the Edwards Church in Framingham. Her ministry reflected her commitment to the values that “All children have been gifted by God.”
Each summer for over forty years, Susan was an ‘Old Shoaler’ at the Star Gathering Conferences on Star Island, a religious and educational conference center in Rye, NH. While on island Susan enjoyed playing hand bells, reading quietly in a rocker, attending candlelit chapel, and spending time with her family and friends. Susan was able to support the Star Island Corporation and SICUCC in several volunteer and leadership roles through the years.
Among her interests was gardening, traveling throughout the United States, Europe, and South America and her many mission trips with youth. She was devoted to her family and especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren who became the center of her life.
Susan was survived by her brother John M. Pavlovich and his wife Barbara Hyer and their children Kate, John, and David and Kira Storer. The mother of Peter F. Dickerman, his wife Kate and their children Erin and James Dickerman, and Andrew J. Dickerman and his girlfriend Thais Archambeault. Susan is also survived by her longtime companion and friend Alfred E. Williams.
A Celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Rd. Framingham.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial gifts in Sue’s memory may be sent to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284; the Edwards Church Memorial Fund, 39 Edwards Street Framingham, MA 01701 or the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Endowment Fund, One Badger Road, Framingham, MA 01702 and would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland.