JoAnne Dillon
January 29, 1926 – July 28, 2013
With her family embracing her, JoAnne Dillon died of cancer at her Manitou Beach home Sunday, July 28. She was 87.
An avid reader, traveler, golfer, bridge player and cold water swimmer, JoAnne had deep roots on Bainbridge Island, where she lived most of her life.
Born at Swedish Hospital on January 29, 1926 to Loren and Margaret Petersen, her early years were spent in Seattle before the family moved to Bainbridge prior to World War II. JoAnne was Bainbridge High School Girls’ Club president and vice president of the class of 1943 as well as its valedictorian. Following graduation, she enrolled at the University of Washington to study nursing and entered Pi Beta Phi sorority. In August 1944 she married Jim Dillon of St. Louis, Mo., who was stationed at Fort Lawton before deployment to the European theater of war.
Jim Dillon died April 4, 2007.
A longtime member of Wing Point Golf and Country Club, she served as women’s golf captain in 1982. On July 17, 1990, she scored a hole-in-one (14th hole). JoAnne was a past volunteer for what is now Helpline House and a member of the Betty Nickum Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Guild and a long-time congregant of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on the island.
Known for her keen sense of humor, vibrancy and summer afternoons on Manitou Beach, she was beloved by her friends and her children’s friends, some of whom she taught to swim.
JoAnne is survived by sons Patrick (Anne Dowie) of San Francisco, California, Michael (Sydni Sterling) of Indianola and daughter Nancy (Judith Musick) of Eugene, Ore.; grandchildren Paul, Nick, Pete and Tess Dillon and brothers Jerry Petersen of Atlanta, Ga. and Warren Petersen of Poulsbo.
A private, graveside observance was held at Seabold Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank all of those who sent or delivered cards, flowers and food in the past months. The outpouring of love for our mother was beautiful and humbling. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, P.O. Box 3416, Silverdale, WA 98383, www.hospiceofkitsapcounty.org or to a charity of choice.
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