Glenda Jean Dickerson

Glenda Jean Pilon Hirliman Peterson Dickerson, fun-loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend


OLEAN - Glenda Jean Dickerson, of Olean, passed away Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2025) at Olean General Hospital, after being shown love by immediate family members.


Born May 23, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Glenn and Jean Pilon.


After graduating from Olean High School in 1969, she married the late Robert "Bob" Hirliman. We tragically lost him in 1980. She later married William "Bill" Peterson and made a life with him in Allegany on Pumpkin Hollow. After separating from Bill, she found true love again. She met the late Thomas "Tom" Dickerson, whom she lived with in Virginville, Pa., Alma and finally Allegany. She cared for Tom during a long illness until his passing in 2016.


Remaining widowed, she moved in with lifelong friend Michelle "Mickey" Prohaska in North Tonawanda. She finally found her way back to Olean until her final days.


Glenda greatly enjoyed being around people and worked many jobs in customer service. You would find people going to the Denim Depot, Movie World, Union News and Tops just to talk with her, and usually get a good laugh. Maybe you knew her from her bartending days at Fudges, The Trolly or the Moosenose, where she would listen, offer words of advice and have you laughing or crying.


She spent several years following the sporting events at Allegany Central School, where she worked as a lunch monitor, also being president of the Sports Booster Club. You could always find her loud, boisterous personality whooping for the kids. She was always the life of any gathering she attended.


Glenda lived with a fun-loving spirit that made every moment brighter - whether she was telling (and way exaggerating) stories or simply finding humor in the everyday. She was unapologetically herself. Bold, Genuine, and Full of Life, reminding us all to embrace who we are without hesitation.


She is survived by a very large, extended family: brothers, John Pilon of Little Valley, Glenn (Janet) Pilon of Florida and Tracy Pilon of Olean; sisters, Sue (Mike) Bell, of Edred, Pa. and Shirlee (Rick Yehl) Russell of Olean; sons, Scott (Lynn) Hirliman of Olean, Michael (Julie) Hirliman of Olean, Kelly (John) Ebel of Leon, Daphne (Earl) Hess of Virginville, Pa., Tika (Bob) Moatz of Pennsylvania, Patrick and Phillip Peterson. Glenda specifically loved her grandchildren, Robert (Halley) Hirliman, Damon (Katie) Hirliman, Alaina and Jack Hirliman, Madison, Karley, and McKayla Ebel, Elise Weaver, Micah Barlet, and Paige and Seth Moatz; and several great-grandchildren; and nieces, and nephews.


Glenda was predeceased by her parents; husbands, Bob and Tom; a sister, Penny Jo Pilon; a sister-in-law, Sandra "Sandy" Pilon; and a step-grandson, Alec Moatz.


A visitation will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 25, 2025) followed by a memorial service at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. Afterward, family and friends will be gathering at The Hall in Allegany to share stories, laugh, cry and remember Glenda.


Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.