Salem, NH – Sandra D. Dickey, 69, a retired homemaker, died Thursday, March 11 at home after a long illness.
Born and raised in Pelham, NH. Mrs. Dickey moved to Salem, NH upon her marriage in 1956 and has been a Salem resident for the past 54 years.
Mrs. Dickey was a member of the First Baptist Church of Salem, NH where she had been a Sunday school teacher for many years while raising her five daughters. She also had been a member of the Order of Rebekahs, Vacation Bible School teacher, Pioneer Girls Leader, Girl Scout Leader, SHS Band Parent/Music Club Member, and school volunteer.
Mrs. Dickey loved vacationing in the White Mountains. As a young girl she spent many times visiting with her relatives in their cabin located on the Kancamagus Highway. As an adult, she brought all her children camping and taught them to enjoy her passion for nature and the history and culture of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time in her vacation home in North Conway, NH most weekends and during the summer months. She was an avid reader and enjoyed mystery novels, and she collected books on myths, legends, and history of the White Mountains.
She enjoyed visits from her children and grandchildren, playing games, having family dinners, hosting holiday and birthday parties, and talking about her family, her grandparents, her early life in Pelham and her early married years in Fort Hood Texas (where she met Elvis Presley) and Budigen, Germany when her husband was stationed in the Army.
She is predeceased by her son: George Robert Dickey, her father: Leo H. Courtemanche, Salem, NH, her sister: Betty Williams, Lisbon, NH, her niece: Robin Schofield, Littleton, NH, and nephew: Bryant Courtemanche, Monterey, CA.
She is survived by her mother, Eunice Courtemanche of Salem Haven Nursing Home, Salem, NH, ex-spouse: Robert G. Dickey of Salem, NH, five daughters (and their spouses): Roberta Dickey of Salem, NH, Donna & John Kelleher of Methuen, MA, Lynn & Allen Landry of Salem, NH, Mary Ann Dickey of Salem, NH, and Ruthie & John Ashley of Center Barnstead, NH; four grandchildren: Amanda Landry, Amy Landry, Matthew Landry, and Kristin Kelleher; brothers and sisters (and their spouses): Leon K. (Ken) & Linda Courtemanche of Sandown, NH, Wayne & Velma Courtemanche of Monterey, CA, Jeff, of Derry, NH & sister-law-in Debbie Courtemanche, of Salem, NH, Pam & John Drogo of Manchester, NH, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home with a private, family service and she was buried at the Gibson Cemetery, Pelham, NH.
Donations may be made to the Sandra Dickey Memorial Fund for the benefit of the Salem High School Marching Band, c/o Salem Cooperative Bank, P.O. Box 67, Salem, NH 03079.