"Early in her career she had to overcome obstacles," said Allen Roody, a friend of 30 years and a lieutenant in the Pikesville department. "She was to women in fire service what Jackie Robinson was to athletes of color."
That determination paid off in 1984, when she was promoted to lieutenant, and five years later, when she made captain.
She was named a battalion chief in 1995 and a division chief in 2001. She retired in 2005. Fire officials said Thursday that she is the only woman in the Baltimore County Fire Department to be promoted beyond the rank of captain.
She enjoyed gardening and was president of the Pikesville Garden Club at her death. She also assisted the unemployed with resumes as part of a Catholic Charities jobs placement program.
She promoted firefighting as a woman's career at high schools and colleges, groups for displaced homemakers and other career programs.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at noon Saturday at St. Charles Boromeo Roman Catholic Church, 101 Church Lane, Pikesville.
Survivors include her husband of nearly 30 years; two daughters, Gabrielle Dansicker of Baltimore and Alexandra Dansicker of Pikesville; a brother, William England Jr. of Owings Mills; her mother, Anida England of Pikesville; and her grandmother, Wilso Holden, also of Pikesville.
