Kathleen Mary Dillon(Cournoyer)

Kathleen Mary (Cournoyer) Dillon passed away at her Providence home on April 23, 2008. She was the wife of the late James J. Dillon to whom she was married for 50 years. Born in East Jaffrey, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of the late Kathleen Griffin Power Cournoyer and Fred Louis Cournoyer. Mrs. Dillon is survived by her five children: James J Dillon, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Greenville; Kathleen M. Brennan and her husband William of Omaha, Nebraska; Gerald F. Dillon of Rome, Italy; Margaret A. Duncan and her husband Walter of Ledyard, Connecticut and Mary P. Dillon McKenzie and her husband Ronald of Portsmouth. In addition, she leaves ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Dillon was predeceased by her sister, Margaret L. Enright, and by her three brothers: Frederick L., Gerald S. and Randyl P. Cournoyer. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. Her intense and personal love of family reached across multiple generations and was the cornerstone of her life.
 
Mrs. Dillon was a cum laude graduate of Regis College in Weston, MA. She was Class President in her junior year and Student Government President in her senior year. She was inducted into the Kappa Gamma Pi National Honor Society. She remained a loyal and active alumna throughout her life. After completing her collegiate studies, Mrs. Dillon attended Hickox Secretarial School in Boston. She taught French and Latin at Conant High School in her home town of East Jaffrey and was employed as a secretary in the offices of D.D. Bean & Sons Match Co.
 
Mrs. Dillon was a communicant of St. Pius V Parish for 60 years and lived a deep Catholic faith with a special devotion to Our Lady. While her children were in school, she served in a leadership capacity for the St. Pius Mothers Club, the Marian Motherhood of St. Xavier Academy and the Veridames of Providence College. After raising her family, Mrs. Dillon returned to the professional world in 1968 as an Administrative Assistant in the Presidents Office at Providence College. She advanced to the position of Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Providence College and later served the Dominican Fathers as Administrative Assistant to the Prior at the Dominican residence. During her lifetime, Mrs. Dillon traveled extensively both in the United States and abroad. She particularly enjoyed her visits to Ireland where many members of her mothers family still reside. She was a voracious reader with a keen interest in politics and current events. She was an avid sports fan and an e-mail devotee, using the Internet to keep in touch with her extensive circle of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kathleen Dillon to The Little Sisters of the Poor, 964 Main St., Pawtucket RI 02860 would be appreciated.

Monday, April 28, 2008 from 4 - 8pm in The Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith St., Providence. www.boyleandsonfuneralhome.com

Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 10am in St. Pius V Church, Eaton St., Providence, Rhode Island