Sally Joan Dillon

Sally Joan Dillon, 87, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2025, at the McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester, VT, surrounded by her loving family. She was a resident of The Residence at Shelburne Bay, VT, at the time of her passing.

Born on November 12, 1937, in Brooklyn, NY, to James A. and Helen Dillon, Sally's family moved to West Hempstead, Long Island, where she spent her childhood growing up with younger sister, Marcia. Sally later went on to graduate from SUNY Cortland and earned advanced degrees in Early Education from Fairfield University and Divinity degrees from Nyack College.

Sally's lifelong passion was teaching. For over 50 years, she touched the lives of countless children as an elementary school and kindergarten teacher in Westchester County, NY, including in Chappaqua and Dobbs Ferry. Her natural gift for connecting with children and her boundless love for education made her an extraordinary teacher and a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Sally's love for life extended beyond the classroom. She was an avid traveler, having studied abroad in Italy during the 1960s and embarking on four Christian mission trips to Russia in the 1990s. She also visited Israel and the Holy Land, experiences that deepened her faith. Sally enjoyed music, playing the piano, and singing, and she found joy in simple pleasures-such as spending time at the beach, trying new foods, and indulging in her favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream. Holidays, especially Christmas, were always a time of celebration for Sally, and she would often say she'd "be there with bells on!"

Sally's deep faith was an integral part of her life. She was a dedicated churchgoer and regularly volunteered in her community, always looking for ways to give back.

Sally is survived by her sister, Marcia (Dillon) Mazeine and her husband, Bill of Vergennes, VT; her niece, Kym (Mazeine) Duchesneau and her husband, Seth of Milton, VT; her nephew, Pete Mazeine and his wife, Kelly of Charlotte, NC; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Alex (wife Sam) and Liza Duchesneau and Graham, Molly, Peter, and Julia Mazeine. She also leaves behind two great-greats! Niece Reagan and nephew William Duchesneau.

In keeping with Sally's wishes, there will be no public funeral service. The family will celebrate her life privately at Christmastime, a holiday she loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her lifelong love of and dedication to children, donations may be made in Sally's memory to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, an organization that provides year-round programming for children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Contributions can be made online at www.takumta.org or mailed to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, PO Box 459, South Hero, VT 05486.

Sally's warmth, kindness, joy, and zest for life touched everyone she met, whether they knew her for a lifetime or just for a moment. She will be deeply missed by all.