Obituary of Julianne Dickson

Julianne Dickson passed away at her home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Saturday, December 3, 2016. At the time of her death she was surrounded by loving friends. Throughout her life, Julie gave the gift of service to the students she taught; the athletes she coached; the parents she counseled; the co-workers she mentored; the women she inspired; and the communities she led. Julie graduated from Elizabethtown Area High School where she played varsity field hockey from 1956-1960, a time when women athletes experienced disadvantages that, today, are recognized as unfair and discriminatory. Undeterred, Julie continued to play varsity field hockey for four years at Lock Haven University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree before later pursuing a Master of Education degree from the University of Delaware. Along the way, Julie took a break from classes to represent the United States as a member of the US Field Hockey Squad in competition against teams from Holland, England, Ireland, Canada, and Jamaica. As a member of the US Field Hockey Association for more than thirty years, Julie remained an advocate for women athletes. Julie served as Director of the first National Indoor Field Hockey Tournament, and Vice-President of the National Association. Her work with the Olympic Development Program was instrumental in establishing the United States Field Hockey Association Development Program. Julianne began her career in education as a teacher and school social worker with the Manheim Central School District. While there, Julie coached field hockey, basketball, track, and tennis and led her 1976 women's field hockey team to win Manheim Central's first PIAA State Championship. Coach Dickson then moved on to the State University of New York at Brockport, where she served as Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Assistant Athletic Director, and field hockey coach. She was later recruited into Ivy League competition as Head Field Hockey Coach, Women's Lacrosse Coach, and Assistant Director of the Brown University Athletic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. All the while, as co-founder and Director of the Derry Hills Camp and Dutchland Field Hockey Camp for girls, Julie remained active locally as a coach, role model, and advocate for young women. Like all the best athletes and coaches, Julianne decided when it was time to pass along her whistle and field hockey stick to the next woman. Never one to play it safe or take the path of least resistance, Julie took on the challenge of starting her own insurance business from the ground up. She joined State Farm Insurance in 1984 as a licensed Agent and Owner in Manheim, Pennsylvania and built a business that served nearly five thousand clients. Her career with State Farm was distinguished by more than two decades of commitment and service to those clients. Julie was a recipient of the State Farm Insurance Chrystal Excellence Award, a member of the State Farm Legion of Honor, and served as Vice President of the National Association of State Farm Agents. During that same time period, Julie also made time to serve as Vice-President and President of the Manheim Chamber of Commerce. For Julie, community service and volunteerism was a natural progression of her lifelong advocacy for women, young athletes, and small business owners. During her eight year tenure as an elected Lancaster City Councilwoman, with two years as President of Council, Julie was highly regarded by colleagues of both political parties for her candor, clarity of thought, and the courage of her convictions. As a member of the Lancaster County Planning Commission Julie brought a visionary's perspective, and service on the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority placed her calm confidence and patient tone on full display. Julie brought equal commitment, her trademark good humor, and an inspiring willingness to give her time and talents to the Council of Trustees of Millersville University, the Board of Directors of United Disabilities, as Charter Member of the Women's Alliance, and the Rehoboth Beach Village Improvement Association. Throughout her life, Julianne remained humbled and gratified by the many awards and honors she received. In 2001, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association Conference named Julianne one of eight outstanding student athletes in the last fifty years. In 2004, Julie was again honored as one of Pennsylvania's 50 Best Women in Business. A role model treasured by generations of students, Julianne has been inducted into the Manheim Central Hall of Fame and the Elizabethtown Area High School Hall of Fame. Preparations for Julie's final journey were long and arduous, made possible only by the care and affection of her most constant and courageous spouse, Helene (Gorman) Guilfoy; the watchful canine presence of sweet Sophie; the support of cherished friends from far and wide; and the steadfast encouragement and love of her mother, Sally (Sara) Dickson. All throughout, Julie maintained an honest realism, an undaunted spirit, and an authentic interest in and enthusiasm for friends, family, women's sports, and politics. In addition to Helene and Sally, Julie is survived by her brother George/Rick (Diane) Dickson, her nephew Neill (Megan) Dickson, and four great-nieces/nephews. Please help us celebrate Julie's Life at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA, on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends at a reception immediately following the service. In support and celebration of Julie's lifelong encouragement of women to be what they want to be, a Foundation has been established in Julie's name. In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Julie and support the empowerment of women can be sent to: The Julie Dickson Foundation, PO Box 463, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tax exempt status has been applied for. Further information may be obtained at www.juliedicksonfoundation.org