Donations Being Accepted In Memory Of Ellington Lions Club President

ELLINGTON, CT — Less than two months after her passing, memorial donations are still being accepted by the Ellington Centennial Lions Club in the name of its late president, Dianne Bouchard.

Bouchard passed away June 16, just 12 days shy of her 75th birthday.

Daughter of the late Raymond and Ruth (Martin) Dickinson, Bouchard grew up in Middletown, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1967. She established her professional career in banking, working in the industry for more than half a century. Her last position was relationship banker at Key Bank in Ellington.

The Ellington Centennial Lions Club was chartered in Sept. 2016 when a number of civic-minded Ellington residents answered a challenge to establish the first nationally recognized service organization in the town. Bouchard was president of the organization, "and was proud of being a part of their charitable work," according to her obituary.

Among the many service projects done by the Lions are an annual Valentine's food drive, which benefits the Crystal Lake Food Pantry or Ellington Food Pantry in alternating years. Club members also collect prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses, which are reconditioned and distributed to Lions Clubs throughout the world. The Ellington community typically donates over 1,000 pair each year.

In 2023, Bouchard received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, presented for "service and commitment to the Lions Clubs International Foundation."

Club treasurer Nga Nguyen said, "Dianne loves helping the community. She is an outgoing person. She is independent and inspires others. Dianne always brings so much energy and kindness to everyone. A great friend and coworker. I will miss her."

Bouchard is survived by a sister, two nieces, a nephew, three great-nephews and her stepmother. She is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown.

Donations in her memory may be made to Ellington Centennial Lions Club, P.O. Box 111, Ellington, CT 06029. If preferred, memorial contributions may also be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Connecticut Chapter, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.

Anyone interested in helping to continue her legacy by joining the Lions Club may obtain information by emailing [email protected]. The club meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hall Memorial Library.