By Emily J. Minor
BOCA RATON — Carmen B. Dickenson, a descendent of the Minorcan settlers who came to St. Augustine in the 1700s and forever changed the ethnic makeup of Florida, died Feb. 11 at her island condo with the pretty waterfront view. She was 89.
A family member said she had been in failing health for several months.
Mrs. Dickenson spent her childhood and adolescent years in Cleveland, Ohio, but she was really a Florida girl at heart — enjoying gardening, fishing and crabbing until late in her life, said her daughter-in-law, Katharine Dickenson.
“She loved to read. She loved antiques. And she was a devout Catholic,” said Katharine Dickenson.
Katharine Dickenson said some of her mother-in-law’s greatest joys were her children, her grandchildren and her Catholic faith.
“She was a fantastic cake baker,” said her daughter-in-law. “She made the best cakes I’ve ever eaten in my life, and making them was an art form.”
As a young woman, Mrs. Dickenson studied dental hygiene at Northwestern University, where she graduated first in her class in 1941.
It was also at Northwestern where Mrs. Dickenson met her future husband, James Blaine Dickenson Jr., who was studying to become a dentist. After college, the married couple moved to Ashland, Ky., where Dr. Dickenson practiced dentistry and the couple raised their family.
In 1979, they retired permanently to Florida and enjoyed many years together until Mr. Dickenson died in 1994.
A bit of a perfectionist, Mrs. Dickenson was also famous — at least among family and friends — for her amazing “eggnog cake.”
“Everything was always done perfectly,” said Katharine Dickenson. “Her manners. Her loyalty. Her attitude toward people.”
Mrs. Dickenson is survived by three children, son David B. Dickenson and wife Katharine; son Paul Foster Dickenson, and his wife, Debra; and a daughter, Nancy Ann Dickenson-Hazard, and her husband John. She also is survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services and burial were held the last week of February.
Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County or St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
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