Mary Lou Dillner

Mary Lou was born in her beloved Colorado at St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, on March 7, 1937. She was preceded in death by her father Oscar, her mother Betty, and she is leaving behind her brother Gene (Wife Nancy), niece Becky Ogborn (Husband Thad, daughter Parker), niece Jennifer McLaughlin (husband Jeff, son Macoy, daughter Emerson). Mary Lou's greatest joys were living for her Lord Jesus, spending time with her family of double cousins (2 sisters in one family married 2 brothers in another family- and she never turned down an opportunity to enjoy a family gathering!), travel (she loved different types of people, food, and cultures!), the land and people of Israel... and Chocolate!!!! Mary Lou's love of nature and animals began at a young age when her family moved from Wheatridge to a farm in Eastlake (current day Thornton). When she was in a 3rd grade, they moved to another farm on Washington Highway. Then, in 1950, Mary Lou and her family moved to Brighton, where she acquired her much loved dog, "Teeny". Teeny was a Chihuahua. Years later, when Taco Bell ran an advertising campaign using a Chihuahua who spoke the catchphrase of "Yo quiero Taco Bell!!" (I want Taco Bell!) they also sold stuffed Chihuahuas. Of course, Mary Lou purchased one of the little dogs, and named it "Teeny"... the perfect name!! Mary Lou had many health challenges to overcome, and she never let them stop her from living life to the fullest. Mary Lou's high school years found her enjoying snow skiing, bowling, and square dancing. (Her dad loved being the "caller"!). Her cousin, Ken, remembers double dating with Mary Lou and her date at high school dance with the entire gymnasium hopping to "The Bunny Hop" with great joy and enthusiasm!! During more quiet times, Mary Lou enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles and always tapping the piece once it found it's home in the juble of pieces. This was a fun family pastime, passed on from her Swedish grandmother, Madga. After high school, Mary Lou lived with her Aunt Millie and Uncle Eric while attending Business College. This led to working for an attorney in Brighton, and later working at the Jefferson County airport. Mary Lou found her greatest career joys with United Airlines, working as an Executive Secretary, working in Public Relations, and working at the Training Center at Stapleton Airport (now Denver International Airport). Mary Lou joined with her dear friend Dee, and two other roommates, sharing a home near the airport. During this time she also met many new friends at Central Presbyterian Church. These people have- for 54 years- remained lifelong friends, living life together and always "having each other's backs". All this from shared meals with "The Supper Club." Mary Lou eventually bought her condo, and a much loved car- a mustang she named "Monte". Her nieces remember travelling with her and being stopped by a police officer for speeding. Years later, they have continued to remind her of her heavy foot. She also continued to feed her love of "the wild wild west" into her adult years by attending the Denver Stock Show every year. she could also be seen at Cheyenne Wyoming's "Frontier Days" when tickets were available. She and her dad also went to the National Rodeo Finals held each December. Working for United, she began to tracel throughout the United States.... enjoying quick flights to Chicago, Illinois- San Jose, California- and Boise, Idaho- for lunch!!. Then, when lunch with dear friends was over, she would catch a United flight back home, just in time for dinner. Other U.S. destinations included New York, Seattle, and Hawaii. (Mary Lou's mom and dad enjoyed the Hawaii trip with her.) When Mary Lou discovered international travel, she made friends wherever she went. Her most visited countries included most of Europe, Sweden (she was teaching herself Swedish), Russia, Israel (she was teaching herself Hebrew), and Australia. Since October 2004, Mary Lou has enjoyed living in her Porter Place apartment. She made many dear friends- both residents and staff- and her smile and amazingly positive attitude will be greatly missed.