Oklahoma City May13, 2013
Oklahoma City native Michele Dillehay died on May 10, 2013. She was 57 years old. Michele is survived by her sisters Kaylyn Dillehay Blank and Shaun Dillehay, brother-in-law Larry Blank and her nieces/nephew Jamie Blank, Michael Blank, Danielle Blank and Haley Dillehay Lister. Predeceased are sister Jamie Dillehay, parents Gene and Patricia Dillehay and her beloved dog Silver. Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 17, 2:00 pm at Guardian Funeral Home located at 5820 NW 41st Street.
Michele Dillehay was born on January 11, 1956 in Oklahoma City. She was awarded the “All-Round Sports Athlete” at Coronado Heights Elementary School, Cheerleader at Hefner Junior High, and Resident Artist at Putnam City High School, where she graduated in 1974.
Michele received an art scholarship to Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. After college, she served in the Navy as an Avionics Technician. She then worked as a Horticulture Technician and also worked on electric cars in Detroit, MI. Back in Oklahoma City, she worked in the parts department at Maxey’s Honda Motorcycles. She used her avionics technician skills again at Commander Aircraft at the Wiley Post Airport in Bethany, OK, Kestrel Aircraft in Norman, OK, March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA and the Air National Guard in Oklahoma City.
Michele received her doctorate in Naturopathy in 2003 from the Trinity School of Natural Health and then became certified as a Massage Therapist in 2004.
From 2004 – 2007 Michele served in Iraq as a civilian aircraft technician, working on Blackhawk helicopters. She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Task Force 3-17 Calvary during “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Michele explored her spiritual path of Hinduism in India. She legally changed her name to Ma Gnanadevi Ananda – the name given to her by the Swamiji, which means “Enlightened Healer”,
In 2010 Ma Gnanadevi enrolled at Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City to learn Aviation Maintenance Technology. She graduated from Metro Tech in March 2012 and received the Academics Excellence Award for her graduating class. Ma Gnanadevi received her Airframe and Powerplant licenses through the FAA. She began working at AAR in September 2012 as an aircraft mechanic.
Ma Gnanadevi lost her battle to breast cancer in Oklahoma City, OK. She was an adventurer and seeker of knowledge. Ma touched the lives of many and will not be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the National Park Foundation at www.nationalparks.org or the Animal SPCA at https://donate.aspca.org/donate/. These charities were chosen for Ma’s love of nature and animals. You may post your thoughts and memories on Michele’s/Ma’s website at www.dignitymemorial.com/guardian-funeral-homes-west-chapel/en-us/index.page
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