Donna L. Dickinson

GARDNER- Donna L. (Rodecki) Dickinson, 64, of Gardner, died April 26 in her home of pancreatic cancer. Donna was born March 29, 1956, in Gardner; daughter of Elaine (Edwards) Rodecki and the late Albert Rodecki. She grew up in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School in 1974. She attended Worcester State College and Mount Wachusett Community College where she earned her Nursing degree. Donna worked at Burbank Hospital, then at a hospital in Florida, and did private duty nursing at several locations on Cape Cod. Afterward she worked at Monadnock Regional Hospital in Peterborough, N.H. in the geri psych unit for for ten years. She loved being outdoors where she could enjoy flower and milkweed gardening, rescuing and releasing monarch butterflies, and astronomy. She was fascinated by geology and was a member of the Rock Hounding Club. She collected unusual rocks, sea glass and fossils. Her happiest times were taking care of and playing with her two grandchildren, and taking them for swimming lessons. Besides her mother, Elaine Rodecki of Gardner, she leaves her son, Jacob Dickinson and his wife Jacqui of Fitzwilliam, NH; two grandchildren, Ella and Clark Dickinson; and one sister, Karen Rodecki of CA. She was predeceased by her sister, Cheryl Rodecki. A celebration of life will be held at a future date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, 479 Northfield Rd., Lunenburg, MA 01462 or by visiting www.catsontheweb.org. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.