Mary Ellen Dillon

Mary Ellen Dillon, beloved mother, grandmother (Grandmere) and great-grandmother died peacefully on April 1, 2017 at 98 years old. She was born in Pittsburgh on, February 20, 1919 to William and Margaret Gallaher and was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Lawrence Dillon. Mary Ellen is survived by her six children, 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, (with two more soon to arrive), whom she adored and were the center of her life. Children, Laureen Brennan, of Hawaii, Michael Dillon (Michele), Marcia Dillon(David Bethlahmy), Mary Beth Larkin (Hugh), Jane Wingfield (John), Joseph Dillon (Shelly), all living in the Seattle area. Mary Ellen grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. She met her husband In Pittsburgh while he was there on business. They raised their family in their Chicago home on the Shores of Lake Michigan, and in 1965 moved to Seattle where her husband opened the Lawrence V. Dillon Art Gallery. His Gallery brought them to Art shows and on buying trips throughout the United States and Europe. Their favorite European city was Paris, visiting over 15 times. Mary Ellen was a greatly loved and admired elementary school t...[more]

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her for over 50 years, teaching in the Chicago and Seattle Schools. She was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, and attended daily Mass before arriving for each school day. Mary Ellen's beautiful bright smile and sparkling Irish eyes, touched the hearts of everyone she loved and met. Her kind, compassionate spirit, nonjudgmental nature, gentle sweet personality, and ability to warm a heart in an instant, brought great joy to her adoring family, friends, students and anyone fortunate enough to have shared her love or experienced her endearing glowing Christ-like spirit. A Funeral Mass, will be held on Friday, April 7 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Seattle at 10:30 AM. In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to Catholic Charities.