Mary Jane Dillon

Mary Jane grew up in Whitestone. In 1971, she married the love of her life, Jack, and they later moved to Long Island to raise their family in Syosset. She attended St. Agnes High School, Molloy College and the New York Institute of Technology. Mary Jane worked at Pfizer in Manhattan as a young woman where she used her meticulous attention to detail to draft regulatory filings. After becoming a mother, Mary Jane devoted much time and energy to the Syosset Central School District Parent Teacher Association. She was a longtime volunteer at Ozanam Hall nursing home in Bayside where she thoroughly enjoyed organizing resident social activities and the annual golf outing fundraiser. Mary Jane often led bingo games for residents and always found time to shop for thoughtful prizes, usually fashionable jewelry, which brightened everyone’s day. She was always on the go and had many hobbies, from dance class beginning at a young age to tennis, skiing, golf, bridge, cooking and gardening. She loved travel, the beach, food and wine and spending time with friends and family. Mary Jane was the perfect hostess and made countless holidays, family parties and casual get togethers memorable events filled with good food and laughter. Mary Jane was thoughtful and caring and always tried to leave things better than she found them. She will be deeply missed.

Mary Jane was diagnosed with cancer soon after moving to California in early 2021. She remained resilient and graceful when faced with ongoing treatments. During this time, Mary Jane embraced her role as Grandma and found joy in cooking and spending time with her family. She continued to travel with trips to Hawaii, the East Coast, and nearby California wine country, which she loved.

In addition to her late parents, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her brother, Frank. Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her husband Jack of 52 years, daughters Karen Panariello and her husband Gary of Sausalito, CA and Allison Dillon and her husband Josh Zaretsky of San Francisco, CA, and grandson Dillon Zaretsky. The family is grateful to the staff at UCSF Medical Center where Mary Jane received excellent care over the last three years.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Hilary Church in Tiburon, CA on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 2:30pm. An inurnment will occur on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 11 AM, at Mount Saint Mary Cemetery in Flushing, NY. A celebration of life mass will be held at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Syosset, NY on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ozanam Geriatric Foundation, 42-41 201st Street, Bayside, NY 11361-2650, Attn: Gail O’Donovan.