Anne M. Dillon
February 5, 1935 ~ September 29, 2023
Anne M. (Lawlor) Dillon, 88, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and lifelong resident of Peabody, peacefully passed away at her home on September 29, 2023, following a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Anne was the devoted wife of Joseph C. Dillon, and together they cherished nearly 64 years of a loving and enduring marriage.
Born and raised in Peabody, Anne was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1952. For 35 years, she was employed by North Shore Community Action Program. Anne's commitment to helping others in her work was a testament to her generous heart.
Anne found solace and joy in the landscapes of East Wakefield, New Hampshire, where she spent countless weekends at her cherished second home. Her love for gardening allowed her to cultivate beauty and serenity in her own backyard, a reflection of her nurturing and caring nature.
Anne's most cherished role was that of a loving grandmother. She was a constant presence in the lives of her beloved grandchildren, attending their activities and offering unwavering support. Her kindness and compassion knew no bounds, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
In addition to her husband, she leaves a daughter, Julie Dillon of Peabody, two sons, Mark Dillon and his wife Christi of Newburyport and Michael Dillon of Estero, Florida, four grandchildren, Mei-Ann Dillon, Joie Dillon, Sean Dillon, and Kirk Dillon and his wife Melissa, a beautiful great-granddaughter, Regan, who has Anne’s beautiful blue eyes, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two siblings, James Lawlor and Mary Joan Levine.
Funeral services were held privately with burial in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s memory may be made to Boston MedFlight, 150 Hanscom Dr., Bedford, MA 01730. To share an expression of sympathy with the Dillon family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com
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Dear Dillon Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will remember her as the epitome of a lovely lady. I enjoyed seeing her as a patient and if we bumped into each other around Peabody. She was always so sweet and kind.
Sincerely,
MaryEllen Widberg
Dear Dillon Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Anne. Anne was one of the sisters to my late grandfather, James Lawlor. I had the joy of growing up only three streets away from the Dillon family on Colonial Road. I can’t mention Anne without mentioning Joe. Both were extremely positive influences in my life. Joe, who knew about everything going on in the world –via the Boston Globe, would have great conversations with me as a 10-year-old! He would start a meeting with, “Did you read the Mike Barnacle article today?”
Anne recognized my interest in the news and often congratulated me after I read an original story to family members at Christmas or other major holidays and Lawlor family gatherings. I fashioned myself as a writer at the age of 10, and Anne would always ask me about my ideas. After I wrote quite a few, Anne and Joe presented me with a gift. They had made personalized letterhead with my character, “Inspector Brendan” on it. If that wasn’t enough to knock me out, I received a box of pencils from them with my character’s name on it as well. Talk about validation to a young writer!
When I wrote and published my first book in 2019, I took out that box and sharpened one of those precious pencils. Anne was always gently asking me about my progress, showcasing positivity, and gifted me precious gifts to a young kid with big, big dreams.
Sincerely,
Brendan McEachern
family tree— son of Kathleen Lawlor (McEachern)
Thank you Brendan for your kind words about my parents. I remember your Christmas stories and my mother wanting to get you something special for the writer in the family. She will truly be missed by all. I hope you and your family are well. Julie