Obituary of Elizabeth Dillon

Elizabeth (Betty) Dillon WEST HURLEY- Elizabeth (Betty) Dillon, a 36-year resident of West Hurley, formerly of Somerville, Mass., passed away on Oct. 8, 2012, at The Kingston Hospital surrounded by loved ones. She was 80 years old. The daughter of the late Wilbur and Florence Hazen, she was born on June 24, 1932, in Somerville, Mass. Betty was a graduate of Somerville High School Class of '50 and went on to work in banking and continued coursework in fine arts. In '54, she married Richard (Dick) Dillon of Arlington, Mass., with whom she would remain deeply in love throughout their 58 years of marriage. The newlyweds moved to the N.Y./N.J. area for Dick's career and started to build their family of five adored children. In '76, Betty and Dick moved to West Hurley, to be near Dick's new position launching a division of Fehr Bros. Industries in Saugerties. Both in the N.Y./N.J. area and then later in the majestic Hudson Valley, Betty continued to pursue her love of oil painting, studying under many artists including Vladimir Bachinsky, of Woodstock. She produced dozens of finished works of art that have been displayed in public shows and in her home and those of friends and relatives. In the midst of this busy life, Betty committed significant time to volunteer work including, but not limited to, serving Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Hospice, and the Kingston Child Enrichment Program. Betty was also an active member of St. John's Parish, Woodstock, serving as Parish Secretary for over 20 years, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Church Bazaar Coordinator, and Religious Education Director. In everything she did, Betty looked to make friends with others and always saw the good in each of us. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed being surrounded by them in her active household where all were welcome. Betty is predeceased by her beloved husband and is survived by five children and seven grandchildren. These include daughter Catherine Dillon of Bayside; daughter Janet Kortrey of Fayetteville, Ga., and her children, Lauren, Julia and Ryan; son Richard (Rick) Dillon and daughter-in-law Jayne Sportelli, of Norfolk, Mass.; daughter Maureen Dillon and son-in-law Jeff Haney, of Needham, Mass., and their children, Eleanor (Nell) and William (Will); and daughter Theresa Dillon and son-in-law Scott Williams, of Canton, Mass. and their children, Isabelle and Victoria. Betty is also survived by her sister Florence Picard and her husband Ray, of Hudson, Mass.; her brother, Robert (Bob) Hazen and his wife Maria, of Wantage, N.J.; many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved brother, William (Billy) Hazen, of Calif.; her sister, Barbara Bowes, of Medford, Mass.; and her sister, Margaret (Peg) Hazen, of White Lake. A wake will be held at Lasher Funeral Home, 100 Tinker Street, Woodstock, on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m. A funeral procession will form at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at the funeral home. At 10 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be sung at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 12 Holly Hills Rd., Woodstock. Burial will take place at Woodstock Cemetery followed by a luncheon reception at St. John's. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either 1.) St. John's Catholic Youth Organization World Youth Day, Attn: Donation in Memory of Elizabeth Dillon, 12 Holly Hills Rd., Woodstock, N.Y., 12498, or 2.) Benedictine Health Foundation, 105 Mary's Avenue, Kingston, N.Y., 12401, Attn: Donation in Memory of Elizabeth Dillon.