The family of Phyllis Jean Swoverland Dillon of Ann Arbor, Michigan is saddened to announce that she passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 31, 2020. Phyllis Jean was born on Feb 9, 1927 in Tiffin, Ohio with a smile on her face, and she spent 92 years exuding peace, joy, and love. Her greatest love was Bob Dillon, her husband of 67 years. She deeply loved her family, The First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor (FUMC), University of Michigan football and basketball, and everything Ann Arbor.
Phyllis graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in Ohio and earned an RN degree from Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. She was very proud to maintain her nursing certification into her 80s, and after empty nesting, she worked in home care and volunteered with the American Cancer Society conducting seminars to teach breast self exams.
When Phyllis met Bob Dillon at FUMC in the fall of 1951, she was working as a nurse at University Hospital. One of her roommates was asked to do devotions for FUMC’s young singles gathering, and asked Phyllis to come along to provide moral support. Bob was just home from the Navy and moping around his parent’s house. His mom shooed him out of the house, sending him to the church singles' meeting. Bob was instantly smitten when he saw Phyllis across the room. He enlisted the pastor to introduce them and asked if he could give her a ride home over cookies and punch. Phyllis had driven her car there, so she snuck her keys to her roommate and announced that Bob was driving her home. Neither Phyllis nor Bob returned to the singles group, and they were married on June 21, 1952.
The church became Bob and Phyllis’s community as they started their life together in Ann Arbor. By 1957, their family had grown to three kids and a newly built ranch on Red Oak Road where they lived for over 60 years. For over 30 years, Phyllis was a Bible study leader, organized monthly dinners and entertainment for the Charles Wesley Club (adult fellowship group at FUMC), and was always eager to bring a casserole and provide encouragement and comfort for those in need. Amid raising children, volunteering, cruises, travel, and life’s ups and downs, Phyllis and Bob's greatest accomplishment was their enduring love for one another. On June 21, 2019 while celebrating their 67th Anniversary at The Gandy Dancer, Phyllis exclaimed, "67 years is just not long enough!" Phyllis aimed to spread joy and pray for others daily. May we all heed her example of joyful living! .
Phyllis is survived by her husband Bob, their 3 children, Barbara Dillon, David (Maggie) Dillon, Patti (Daryl) Balchan, grandchildren, Elizabeth (Mark) Fury, Katie (Steve) Dedyne, Stephen (Tori) Balchan, Melinda Balchan, Richard Balchan and great grandson Leo Vincent Balchan.
A private memorial service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at The First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, 120 S. State St., Ann Arbor, Mi 48104.
A celebration of life will take place in Ann Arbor at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Phyllis Dillon to The Older Adult Fellowship J.O.Y. luncheons at The First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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