Vern Shirleen Patricia Dillon was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord on November 9, 2019, in Washington, DC at the age of 67. She was a wonderful woman who is loved, is missed, and will always be cherished by her family and friends. Our “Mommy,” as she was called by her children, “Grandma” as she liked to be called by her grandchildren, and “BeBe” as she was fondly called by her family; was an amazing mother and grandmother
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Vern’s story began on August 4, 1952. She was the oldest and only female child born to Eric (Papa) and Ruby (Granny) Brown. Vern was born in Kington, Jamaica, where she spent her childhood and early adult years. Vern and her children later relocated to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. After 30+ years of dedicated service, Vern retired from the Washington Hilton as a Hospitality Captain. It was there that she cultivated long-lasting friendships and fondly reminisced about proudly serving former United States Presidents and foreign dignitaries.
Vern’s children and grandchildren were her heart and joy. There’s no denying that the time she spent with her grandchildren were some of her happiest and prideful moments.
Many loved ones cleared the path for Vern to include her father Eric and mother Ruby, her brothers Derrick, Lloyd, Carlos and Michael. Those left to cherish her memory include; her daughter, Anne Marie German, son, Andrew Dillon his wife Natascha, sons Anthony Brown and Shaun Dillon; her grandchildren, Romaine, Natasha, Brianca, Jermaine, Kamryn, Chace and Harper; and her great-grandchildren Travelle, Tayjon, Tyre, Tamere, Rome, Romaine Jr. and Jalayah, her brother Herman; and her loyal and faithful fur-baby companion Leo.
One of her strongest attributes was selflessness. Vern always puts the needs of others before self, sometimes to a fault. She continuously poured into others, oftentimes inadvertently forgetting to replenish her inner spirit. Early on she was taught that she had to be the caretaker and bear the burden of others. Vern did this because she knew she had to be the strength for so many who weren’t strong enough to reciprocate. She was naturally altruistic and understood ‘for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13).
Despite Vern’s humble beginnings, she triumphed over many obstacles that others would’ve succumbed to. She welcomed the challenges of migrating to a new country with little wealth and support and being forced to acculturate to a new environment. In spite of all this, Vern achieved the American Dream.
And so the story goes on until we see our Mommy, Grandma, BeBe, and Vern again…We love and miss you more than you know.
In lieu of flowers and monetary donations to the family, memorial contributions can be made in Vern’s name to the American Heart Association to help combat heart disease and stroke.
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/FunRaiser/General?px=16726273&pg=personal&fr_id=3930
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