Obituary of Jeanne Dilley

Jeanne M. Dilley Sidney, NY There is a professional Hugger in heaven now. Jeanne M. Dilley, 93 passed away on Friday, March 28, 2014 at The Manor in Cooperstown, NY. She was born on Bevier Street in Binghamton, NY, daughter of the late William and Luella (Bice) McDonald, on June 29, 1920. She graduated from North High School and on December 22, 1939 married Frank G. Dilley and moved to Sidney. A really important moment in Jeanne's life was when she was thirteen she received her first box camera which became a lifetime passion. She recorded every event and important moment in her life and the lives of those around her. She worked briefly at Scintilla where she met her lifelong friends, Mary Grace Pondolfino, Ruth Donaloio and Barbara Lawson. Jeanne collected people throughout her life, including the wonderful caregivers at The Manor that were with her every day to the end. Once you were in her life, she kept in touch with you forever. She was a letter writer; she never missed a birthday with a card and a phone call. She always sent articles from the paper to the athlete or honor roll person with a "congratulations" written at the top. Keeping in touch with her family was most important and The McKune/Comfort Reunion in August every year was a highlight of Jeanne and her sister Marian's life. Jeanne took photos and served as secretary for many years and Marian was the Historian. After her family came her Girl Scouts and their families. When Troop 4 flew up from Brownies to Girl Scout Troop 43 Jeanne and Eileen Cerquoz spent the next 8 years with 18 girls and their families. This included campouts, creating a float for the Walton Fair that included all 18 girls decorated as flowers, two trips to the Worlds Fair in NYC, the Golden Camporee at Chenango Valley State Park, Leadership Conference in NYC, and sending 5 girls to the Girl Scout Roundup in Button Bay Vermont. She continued to keep in touch with the girls after they graduated and every five years she had a G.S. Reunion that now included spouses and parents in conjunction with their High School reunions. This year will be our 50th G.S. reunion. She also volunteered during these years on the Food Bank, Hospital Guild, the Bloodmobile, and The American Field Service. After her daughter graduated from high school, Jeanne went to work at NY State Police Troop "C" Headquarters as a BCI secretary. For the next 18 years she loved working with a very special group of men who she regarded as her "boys". Her friendships with the civilians and their families at Troop "C" have also lasted a lifetime. Her church family at The First Congregational Church in Sidney has brought her great joy. She sang in the choir for many years, edited The Link, and Pastoral Care committee. Her favorite post was greeting people at the door on Sunday mornings where she hugged everyone. Her family was her joy. She is survived by her daughter and darling son-in-law, Patricia and Avery DuMond; Brother Ray and Vada McDonald, brother-in-law, Robert Dilley; grandson David and Sara DuMond; granddaughter Pamela and Mark Tarnowski; great granddaughters Anna and Caroline, great grandsons Tag DuMond, Brooks Tarnowski and Seth Tarnowski. Very special nieces and nephews and her dear friend Ruth Donaloio. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank G. Dilley, her sister Marian Cable, her brother Irving McDonald; her brother-in-law Walter and Ann Dilley; sister-in-law Elizabeth and Roland Ramlow; sister-in-law Virginia and William Bugbee and her dear friend Mary Grace Pondolfino. Friends are invited to call on April 12, 2014 with the family in attendance from 2 to 4 PM at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street, Sidney, NY. Funeral Services will be held on April 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church, 1 Bridge Street, Sidney, NY with Pastor Pat Robinson officiating. Burial will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be considered for the First Congregational Church, 1 Bridge St, Sidney, NY. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.landersfh.com The family is deeply appreciative and can't say enough about the outstanding care, love and hugs Jeanne received at Otsego Manor for the last 15 months.