Dixiana L. Corcoran

Dixiana Verna Lee Corcoran (née Irace) 94, of Bridgewater, NJ, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 - just six weeks short of her 95th birthday. 

“Dixie”, as she was known, was born in Pittston, PA, the daughter of the late Dorothy and Antelmo “Frank” Irace. As the third of ten children during the Great Depression, Dixie’s youth was defined by helping to raise her younger siblings, forging lifelong bonds and shaping her into a woman of strength, independence and determination. As she always said, “it was the best of times and worst of times”.

A graduate with honors of West Pittston High School, it was there she met her late husband, Joseph J. Corcoran. Wed in 1952, she built their life with resilience and self-reliance living alone during Joseph’s immediate deployment to Korea.  Upon his return the couple was blessed with two daughters Patricia and Maureen. After raising their girls in Raritan, in 1972 they settled in Bridgewater where Dixie has since resided. 

When her girls were young, Dixie worked evenings and Saturdays as a sales clerk for Robert Hall Clothes to help support her family. Beginning in the 1970s, she earned her real estate Broker, GRI and CARS designations and had a successful career. She prided herself on being loyal to her clients, known for her sharp intuition and dedication to find her clients their perfect home. She continued to thrive in real estate and became a manager at Coldwell Banker of Hillsborough in the 1990s.

An avid gardener and dedicated genealogical researcher, she found quiet joy in tending both her plants and her family’s history. Her deep connection to her roots inspired her to travel to Italy to see where her father’s family had lived. She also enjoyed attending Daggett family reunions where she met relatives on her mother’s side.

She is survived by beloved family members: her brother Richard Irace and his wife, Ann, her daughter, Patricia Crane, and her husband Charles, her daughter, Maureen Pryor, and her husband James, a granddaughter from Patricia and Charles, Amy Mele, and husband, Richard, and two great grandchildren, Juliana and Rocco Mele and many nieces and nephews.  She was lovingly referred to as “Mom” by her daughters, “Gram” by her granddaughter and “Gigi” by her great grandchildren.

Dixie is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Frank Irace, her husband, Joseph Corcoran, her grandson, Mark Crane, and her siblings Dorman, Ann, Delbert, Keith, Robert, Diane and Dennis.

A private service was held. She rests at Mountain View Burial Park in Falls, PA.

Dixie will be remembered for her work ethic, resolve and personality.  Deeply independent, she lived life on her own terms.  Her stories and spunk will truly be missed - and her absence will be deeply felt in the lives of those who loved her.

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