Thelma Mae (Constantine) Dashno
ST. ALBANS BAY: Thelma Mae (Constantine) Dashno is officially now “Off Duty Napping.” She passed away on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022, on her 87th birthday. Her loving family was at her side.
Born in Highgate Falls on December 21st, 1935, she was one of six children born to Curtis and Lottie (Elwood) Constantine. She was lovingly raised by her grandmother and grandfather Nelson and Rose Elwood.
Thelma graduated from Swanton High School, class of 1953. She was well known for her place on the varsity basketball team, band, and the Glee club. She had a passion for playing basketball. In her yearbook, the coach attributed their teams’ successful wins to Thelma’s speed and shooting abilities. Although she was tiny, she was fast and accurate.
On December 20th, 1953, in Worcester, Massachusetts, she married Elton Dashno, who predeceased her on November 6th, 2016. During their 60 + years of marriage, they raised four children: Elton Jr., Norma, Cindy, and Mike.
Thelma was well known to the St. Albans community during her working career. She worked for many years as a cashier at Blouin’s IGA, and then Guay’s Market. She enjoyed having positive interactions with people from all over the community. She was a hard worker, always happy to help and joke with anyone that came in to make their shopping experience a pleasure. Everyone enjoyed their interactions with Thelma, whether it was owners, staff, or customers.
Later on, she became part of the custodial team at the St. Albans Federal Building, then eventually retired to relax and enjoy her life with family.
Thelma recently began attending St. Albans Bay Methodist Church and was a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Green Mountain Post #1, American Legion Auxiliary, Robert E. Glidden Post # 758, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and St. Albans Lodge # 1090, L.O.O.M.
Recently In her spare time, she enjoyed morning coffee gatherings at McDonald’s (where she was known lovingly as “Gram”) and doing errands and puzzles with her best friend Jean, as well as visiting with friends and family. In the past, dancing at the Dairy Center, and snowmobiling with family and friends were favorite pastimes. She loved and always looked forward to the large family events on 4th of July and Christmas time.
Thelma is survived by her children, Elton “Skip” Jr. and his wife, Paula, of St. Albans, Norma Dashno and Darren Raymond of St. Albans, Cindy Cook of St. Albans, Michael Cook of Cambridge, and Michael Dashno and his wife, Anna, of Tennessee, Sheryl Dashno of St. Albans as well as her grandchildren, Shawn and Jennifer Dashno, Amber Magee and Dodge, Kyla Cook, Leah Dugan, Chris and Brianna Dugan, Amanda and Jon Giroux, Kagan Cook, Elton “Tripp” Dashno, and Hillary, Emmitt and Valerie Dashno, and her 14 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Elton, Sr., Thelma was predeceased by her five siblings, her grandson, Kyle Cook, and great-granddaughters, Summer Dashno, and Evariste Dugan.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 7th, 2023, at 11 am at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 11 Church Street, St. Albans with Pastor Preston Fuller officiating.
A special thank you to Jean Maniscalco for her invaluable friendship and support to Thelma and her family, especially in the last year.
A special thank you to the staff at Bayada for their outstanding service and support.
A special thank you to members of Vibrant Church of South Burlington, and family and friends for the funeral reception support.
In lieu of flowers her family asks that memorials may be made to Bayada Hospice Care, 354 Mountain View Drive, Suite 305, Colchester, VT 05446, or Franklin County Animal Rescue 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478
Honored to be serving the family of Thelma Dashno is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
