Travis McNair Dillon

1944 - 2016

Travis McNair Dillon
July 26, 1944 ~ October 16, 2016
Travis McNair Dillon was born Travis Jennings on July 26, 1944 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Milton and Phyllis Jennings. As a teenager she excelled in ballet, and was a star performer in local church roadshows. She graduated from Granite High School, and enrolled in the University of Utah. While working as a cashier at Sprouse-Reitz five-and-dime, she met and married the assistant manager, Thomas McNair. They lived in Chatsworth, California, and Tucson, Arizona before settling back in Taylorsville, Utah. While raising three children, and after a time working as a realtor, Travis was hired as a Sears credit specialist. Her work eventually took her with her family to Idaho, where she had a long career at Sears, Discover Card, and Citibank, eventually becoming the manager of the Boise call center. During the 20-plus years she worked in Boise, she paved the way for other women in management. She loved her colleagues, and was an enthusiastic mentor and advocate for all employees.
She took early retirement to care full time for her husband as he battled cancer. Even while working overtime or spending long hours caring for Tom, Travis was the best grandma ever. Her children and grandchildren will always remember the amazing holidays she created, and how she could make an occasion out of every Sunday family dinner. She was able to enjoy several years of travel in her retirement, visiting Europe and the Caribbean, and the East and West coasts of the United States. After returning to Salt Lake City for a few years, she returned to Idaho to be near her children and grandchildren. She never lost the capacity to make and keep friends, and was part of a wonderful circle of caring neighbors in Eagle and Garden City.
Travis is survived by her three children, Dawn Bandor (Michael), Thomas I. McNair III (Paula), and David Trent McNair (Teresa); and five grandchildren: Daniel Bandor, Tyler McNair (Pam), Hope Murphy (Liam), Ian McNair, and Grant McNair. She is also survived by two of her three brothers, Ted and Todd Jennings. Preceding her in death were her husband of 41 years, Thomas I McNair II; her brother, Thomas Lloyd Jennings; and her parents.
Travis died surrounded by her family after suffering from breast cancer for almost seven years. She endured a great deal of pain and uncertainty with incredible fortitude. At her request, no formal funeral service will be held. Instead, please come to a memorial open house at her own home, 10500 Waterway Court, Garden City, Idaho on Saturday, October 22, 2016 (1 to 4 pm). Forties music will be playing, and we will be pouring her favorite wine. A private family burial will occur on a later day. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mountain State Tumor Institute (MSTI), or the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The family is grateful to the staff of MSTI and St. Luke's hospital and hospice.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Travis's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.