It is with great sadness that the family of Laura Dillon announces her passing on Sunday, June 26, 2022 in Atikokan, Ontario with family by her side.
She was born on September 3, 1925 in Sheho, Saskatchewan to Harry and Anna Smits. She grew up in Saskatchewan before taking Nursing in St. Boniface, MB. She graduated in 1947 and worked in California and Duluth, MN before coming to Fort Frances. In 1956 she started teaching at the LaVerendrye Hospital. She taught over 200 nursing students before retiring in 1988. It was here, in Fort Frances, that she met Jack Dillon. They were united in marriage on July 21, 1962 and were blessed with two children, Anne and Andrew. They were both very family orientated and loved every moment spent with their children and grandchildren. She was an active member of the CWL and often played cards with friends.
Laura will be greatly missed by her children Anne Dillon of Fort Frances and Andrew Dillon and wife Maureen of Thunder Bay; grandchildren Kelsey-Rose Dillon, Michael and Amy Dillon; siblings Marie Cunningham, Francise Anderson, Anna (Lyle) Busch, Leona (Gerald) Rucker, José Balcewich, Edith (Kenneth) Funk; sister-in-law Juliette Smits as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband Jack; brothers John, Laurent and Harry Smits; sister Jeanne Belanger; in-laws Doris Smits, Lorraine Smits, Vic Belanger, Ike Balcewich, Ross Anderson, and Cliff Cunningham.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022 from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, ON.
Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, ON with Father Berchmans Francis officiating.
The pallbearers will be Micheal Dillon, Henry Cunningham, Stan Anderson, Guy LaForest, John Busch and Alex Anderson. The honourary pallbearers will be Kelsey Dillon and Amy Dillon.
If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to Atikokan Hospital Extended Care, 120 Dorothy Street, Atikokan, Ontario.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.
