On Nov. 5, Carol Cecelia Dillon, née Lychak, died at home after a short illness. Carol was born Jan. 30, 1918, in Minneapolis. After the untimely death of her father, her family moved to California in 1924. Carol grew up in Long Beach and graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1936. In 1941, she married Stephen P. Dillon, USAF Ret., who would be her husband for 46 years. She and Steve had 11 children.
Carol was a multifaceted woman: a tough competitor athletically in both baseball and tennis; an accomplished pianist, leading the choir at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church and playing the organ there for 40 years; a self-taught linguist of Spanish, learning it while stationed in El Paso, Texas with her husband; and an advocate for immigrants in both Texas and California.
Carol gave her energies, talents and strong faith to her community as West Coast Chairman of the United Way, and to her church as a catechist, parish secretary, president of the Legion of Mary and organizer of the now famous OLM Yard Sales for over 45 years. Inspired by her love of children, she was coordinator of the Southern California Right to Life Organization.
“Carol retained a lifelong curiosity for history, science and the people around her,” a loved one said. “She tirelessly supported her children in their diverse aspirations.” She is survived by 10 of her 11 children—Stephanie, Michael, Mary Jo, James, Mark, Margaret, Terry, Kathy, Carol Sue and Erin—as well as 26 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
“She will be missed greatly,” a loved one said.
The funeral will be on Friday, Nov. 24, at Our Lady of Malibu Church (3625 Winter Canyon Road). The rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be held later at 11 a.m. Call Kathy Madden at 310.923.0575 for more information.