Catherine R. Dillon

Catherine Rose Dillon
Catherine Rose (Mehalsky) Dillon, better known to her friends and family as "Kitty", passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 at the age of 76 in Harrisburg, in the home of her niece and caretaker, Janice Dunsavage and fiance Patrick. She passed peacefully surrounded by loving family.
Born and raised in Morea, she was the daughter of the late John Sr. and Anna (Lapinsky) Mehalsky.
She grew up as a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Mahanoy City, and graduated from Mahanoy Township High School in 1958.
After graduating from high school she worked in the "cigar plant" in Mahanoy City.
She met and married her lifelong partner and best friend, Michael J. Dillon, who passed away in 2000. After marrying she moved to Tamaqua where she lived until her death. She worked for many years and retired from the IGA in Hometown.
She was a member of St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and three sisters Eleanor "Ellie" Dunsavage, long-time tavern owner in Mahanoy City, Theresa Lesko, Baltimore, MD and Delores Brown, Oklahoma.
She is survived by her brother John Mehalsky Jr. of Morea; brother-in- law Ed Lesko, Baltimore, MD; niece Janice Dunsavage, niece and neighbor Rose Jean Zucuskie, and many cousins, nieces and nephews from the Mehalsky, Medvid and Dillon families. She was a second grandmother to Mykel, David and Alicia Dunsavage and spent the last months of her life playing with her great-great-niece Ellie, who was the light of her life.
People were important to Kitty. Everyone she met she considered a friend. Kitty made lifelong friends at every step of her life and remained in touch with many of them until her death. She loved all of her friends dearly and spoke constantly of them and the wonderful memories she had. She also loved her animal friends and they loved her.
Service: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at 10 a.m. in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 264 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, with the Rev. John Frink to officiate.
Family will receive friends at the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 from 3-5 p.m. No morning calling hours.
Interment will be at Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown.
Memorials in her name may be made to the church.
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com