Obituary of Mary Ann Dillon

Mary Ann Dillon (nee Wrona) Mary Ann Dillon, age 89, of Joliet, was born December 21, 1924 in Joliet, IL the second daughter of Paul and Mary Ann (nee Michon) Wrona. She graduated from St. Thaddeus School where she was the music copyist for the choir. During the Depression, her parents thought they were too poor to provide clothing and fees for high school, but after two weeks, the truant officer from Joliet Township High School came and assured them that they could help Mary Ann obtain what she needed, and she became enrolled. Mary Ann worked her way through high school by cleaning the school. She was involved in the Girls Athletic Association, fencing, golf, and the business preparatory program. One semester, ten people were failing shorthand and the teacher asked Mary Ann to tutor them for a dime per student, one hour each day after school. They all passed. Mary Ann was the first of her family to graduate high school. After graduating in 1942, she worked briefly for a defense contractor where she handled payroll for 96 employees. She then worked in Chicago, for Buchen Advertising; W. I. Orwig; and later, her favorite job, the law firm of Burton Y. Witzenfeld, Arnstein, Bluck, Witzenfeld and Minow in Chicago. On May 10, 1947, Mary Ann married Daniel T. Dillon, Jr., her only true love, who had recently returned from the Pacific. Daniel T. Dillon, III was born July 15, 1948; Mary Ann Dillon was born January, 1952, full term but deceased; Rita L. "Dolly" Dillon was born November 28, 1952, three months prematurely; and Paul M. Dillon was born September 25, 1960. Daniel, Rita and Paul survive. In later life, Mary Ann worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet, Union Oil, Joliet Junior College, and Argonne Laboratory, where she worked in legal, environmental sciences and a unique library position. The most interesting for her was working for the Acting Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where the chairmanship rotated between the five government-affiliated research facilities. She was very proud of her sons, Dan, the attorney and eventual Judge who graduated from Notre Dame; Paul, the actor and graduate of DePaul (Austin Powers, "Fight Club," and "Hell Cab," among others); and Rita, not the academic type, who worked at various legal, social work and insurance transcription jobs. Mary Ann's favorite hobbies were gardening, bird watching, and reading. She always told her kids, "If there's something you believe in, stick to your guns. Don't let anybody convince you you're wrong." This was especially true regarding one child's passionate belief in the civil rights movement. Mom battled valiantly against two strokes and partial paralysis, the vascular dementia that tried to crush her spirit, but failed, and the two heart attacks which took her life. Mom was fiercely independent and never quit trying. She lived a complicated and interesting life, and was always true to her convictions. She loved dancing and music and had a great respect for jazz musicians, her favorite composers being the Gershwins. She and her husband went to Melody Mill and the Aragon back in the day to see all the big bands. Grateful acknowledgment is extended to the nurses, doctors, restaurant people, pizza delivery people, grocery people, and pharmacists who helped bring joy to Mom's final years, and to her baby sister, Christine Peterson, and Mary Ann's son, Paul, who was her primary caregiver from May, 2013 until her death. A very special thank you goes to Carolyn Schaeffer, a rock of support, and Kevin Etheridge, an awesome purchasing agent. In addition to her children, Mary Ann is survived by three grandsons and their families, Duffy and Faun Dillon (Attorney and Cincinnati Insurance employee) of Janesville, Wisconsin and their two children, Connor and Finnegan; Brian and Liz Dillon (Attorneys at Law) of Minneapolis, MN, and their children, Ana and James Christopher; and Chris and Kelly Dillon (Emergency Doctor and ER Nurse) of Maple Grove, MN, and their two children, Isabella and Sullivan. She is also survived by ten siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services for Mary Ann Dillon will be Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 10:15 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul the Apostle School would be appreciated. Visitation WEDNESDAY MORNING, from 8:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. For information: (815) 741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com