Troy- Lillian Mary (Hansen) Dickinson, 80, a longtime resident of Albany, died peacefully Monday, May 26, 2025, at the James Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy following a long illness.
Born in Troy, Lillian was the daughter of the late Carl and Mary E. (Lord) Hansen and, for 59 years, the beloved wife of Allen E. Dickinson of Colonie, who survives. Lillian and Allen were married on May 7, 1966.
Lillian attended Troy City Schools and was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1963.
From the home she and her husband, Allen, made for themselves in Colonie, New York, Lillian absolutely doted over their children. She not only participated in the twin's Boy Scouts Troop, she also led Laurie's Girl Scouts Troop, and managed fund-raisers and community service projects. When she had time off from that, she could be heard in the stands at Colonie Central High School cheering her kids to victory during their lacrosse, track, and volleyball matches. When it was time for a family break, she and Allen would pack up the VW van and head to Lake George and other Adirondack Park sites and attractions--Busy, Busy, BUSY--and happy!
Lillian was known for, among so many other things, one skill in particular--baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Hers were legendary, giving Freihoffer’s a run for their money. They were almost currency on the boy's camping trips and were most certainly devoured by the hundreds over the years by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For Lillian, unconditional love was made with a little sugar, some flour, a few eggs, and a bag of chocolate chips.
Through the years, her batches of cookies would increase with the arrival of her grandchildren, GREAT-grandchildren… more nephews and nieces (and THEIR babies!), and extended family members joining her and Allen's circle. Holiday tables would stretch from their dining room into the living room with no room to wiggle…which was perfectly all right with her. The more family she could squeeze in, the better. In those days from her seat at the head of the table, she watched them all grow, one of life's purposes fulfilled.
Our hearts are broken, but only because Lillian's life was that amazing, that beautiful. Our family will heal in time with the strength of friendship, love, and faith from those who hold us in their thoughts.
In addition to her husband, Allen, Lillian is survived by her three children and their spouses, Scott A. and Robin Dickinson of Troy, Christopher A. and Carol Dickinson of Colonie, and Laurie (Dickinson) and Peter Vroman of Canajoharie, a sister, Beatrice Hansen, eleven grandchildren, Christopher Sawyer, Elizabeth Heller, Rachelle Dickinson, Anthony Gaggi, Peter Gaggi, Andrew Vroman, Adam Vroman, Alexander Vroman, Benjamin Vroman, Aiden Vroman, and Ava Grace Vroman, five great-grandchildren, Logan Sawyer, Madyson Lisney, Giuliana Gaggi, Joey Gaggi, and Grayson Gaggi, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Lillian was predeceased by a brother, Carl, and three sisters, Ruth, Shirley, and Betty.
A funeral service for Lillian will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, with Lillian’s long-time pastor, Rev. Doug Thompson, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Raymertown. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Friday morning, from 9:30-11:15 a.m. prior to the funeral service.
Allen and his children would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Eddy Memorial Nursing home in Troy, New York, for their compassionate care of Lillian during her stay with them.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Autism Speaks, PO Box 37148, Boone, Iowa 50037-0148, in memory of Lillian M. Dickinson.
Born in Troy, Lillian was the daughter of the late Carl and Mary E. (Lord) Hansen and, for 59 years, the beloved wife of Allen E. Dickinson of Colonie, who survives. Lillian and Allen were married on May 7, 1966.
Lillian attended Troy City Schools and was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1963.
From the home she and her husband, Allen, made for themselves in Colonie, New York, Lillian absolutely doted over their children. She not only participated in the twin's Boy Scouts Troop, she also led Laurie's Girl Scouts Troop, and managed fund-raisers and community service projects. When she had time off from that, she could be heard in the stands at Colonie Central High School cheering her kids to victory during their lacrosse, track, and volleyball matches. When it was time for a family break, she and Allen would pack up the VW van and head to Lake George and other Adirondack Park sites and attractions--Busy, Busy, BUSY--and happy!
Lillian was known for, among so many other things, one skill in particular--baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Hers were legendary, giving Freihoffer’s a run for their money. They were almost currency on the boy's camping trips and were most certainly devoured by the hundreds over the years by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For Lillian, unconditional love was made with a little sugar, some flour, a few eggs, and a bag of chocolate chips.
Through the years, her batches of cookies would increase with the arrival of her grandchildren, GREAT-grandchildren… more nephews and nieces (and THEIR babies!), and extended family members joining her and Allen's circle. Holiday tables would stretch from their dining room into the living room with no room to wiggle…which was perfectly all right with her. The more family she could squeeze in, the better. In those days from her seat at the head of the table, she watched them all grow, one of life's purposes fulfilled.
Our hearts are broken, but only because Lillian's life was that amazing, that beautiful. Our family will heal in time with the strength of friendship, love, and faith from those who hold us in their thoughts.
In addition to her husband, Allen, Lillian is survived by her three children and their spouses, Scott A. and Robin Dickinson of Troy, Christopher A. and Carol Dickinson of Colonie, and Laurie (Dickinson) and Peter Vroman of Canajoharie, a sister, Beatrice Hansen, eleven grandchildren, Christopher Sawyer, Elizabeth Heller, Rachelle Dickinson, Anthony Gaggi, Peter Gaggi, Andrew Vroman, Adam Vroman, Alexander Vroman, Benjamin Vroman, Aiden Vroman, and Ava Grace Vroman, five great-grandchildren, Logan Sawyer, Madyson Lisney, Giuliana Gaggi, Joey Gaggi, and Grayson Gaggi, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Lillian was predeceased by a brother, Carl, and three sisters, Ruth, Shirley, and Betty.
A funeral service for Lillian will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, with Lillian’s long-time pastor, Rev. Doug Thompson, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Raymertown. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Friday morning, from 9:30-11:15 a.m. prior to the funeral service.
Allen and his children would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Eddy Memorial Nursing home in Troy, New York, for their compassionate care of Lillian during her stay with them.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Autism Speaks, PO Box 37148, Boone, Iowa 50037-0148, in memory of Lillian M. Dickinson.
