Kathleen Elizabeth Dillon

Her smile lit up the lives of those she met. Born 6-13-1943 in New York City, daughter of Vincent and Dorothy Dillon, she died 11-1-2025 in Albany, California. Kathleen is survived by her husband George Ferrick, he son Vincent Atchity, her daughter Rosemary Atchity, and her brother Jerry Dillon, with an older brother David Dillon predeceasing her. Her grandchildren became the light of her life: Margaret and Edward McKenna; and Oliver, Eliot, and Louis Atchity.



Kathleen's educational path included Marymount High School of New York; Georgetown University; and USC, PhD in comparative literature.



Kathleen was an accomplished teacher with a focus on language education. She spent much of her career teaching Spanish, French, and Russian, primarily at Poly technic School in Pasadena. She enjoyed traveling, studying, and leading student trips to the USSR during the Cold War years and beyond. For a brief period, she also worked at the Rand Corporation.



Moving to northern California, she was Associate Di rector of the UC Consortium for Language Learning and teaching, fostering collaboration, innovation, and best practices. With her love of "all creatures great and small," she was a much appreciated volunteer at Marin Humane and San Quentin. Over the years eight dogs found an in comparable home with and attempted to teach Kathleen and George canine language and behavior. She loved conversation with friends over coffee or a meal. She ran the LA and New York marathons! Arising out of "My religion is kindness," her meditation practice grew out of Thich Nhat Hahn and Spirit Rock, with guides such as ack Kornfied, Syliva Boorstein, Donald Rothberg, and Rick Hanson.



Kathleen's family is grateful to Oakmont of Concord, Belmont Village in Albany, and Bridge Hospice for their kindness and caring as she bravely reached the finish line of her own marathon.



Donations may be made in her honor to: Las Families del Pueblo, Los Angeles; Marin Humane's Pen Pals program; Marymount School of New York; or Polytechnic School, Pasadena.



Gatherings of remembrance for all who would like to honor Katheen will be held in Northern California, Jan 10th 2:00-4:00pm at St. Alban's Parish Hall, 1501 Washington Avenue, Albany; and in Southern California, Feb 7th 1:00-3:00pm at Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA. To RSVP or info gferrick@gmail.com