Georgia Annabelle Dillon

Georgia Annabelle Dillon, 99, died on February 28, 2025, at E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville following a stroke. She was born on August 2, 1925, the third of four children to Peter and Elsie (Knapp) Poulos in Lansing, Michigan. Her family owned and operated a popular restaurant downtown called The Shenandoah. She lived in the community throughout her school years, graduating from the first class at J.W. Sexton High School in 1943. Her greatest joy was playing double bass in the orchestra. With support from an orchestra scholarship, she attended Michigan State University in East Lansing for three years. Following a move across the country to Seattle, Washington, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Washington in 1947. In Seattle, she met Joseph Dillon, a young banker who was also new to the city. They married in the summer of 1950. That fall she returned to the University of Washington and earned a degree in Library Science the following year. She worked as a children's librarian for the Seattle Public Library, often visiting public schools to give book readings, until their first child, Cathleen, was born in 1955. The family subsequently moved to Bremerton, Washington, where they welcomed their son Thomas in 1957. When the children were older, the family moved again, to Bellevue, Washington, where she was a reference librarian at the Bellevue Library. Throughout her career, she played double bass in numerous orchestras, retiring from the library and the Tacoma Symphony in 1986. She also taught piano lessons, led Great Books discussion groups,and volunteered in the community and at her children's school. She was a member of the Washington Library Association. In 2000, she and Joe moved to Florida, settling in Gainesville, to be near her daughter Cathleen Keen, son-in-law Lawrence, and granddaughter Rachel Keen. She remained busy, generously helping to raise her granddaughter and serving for years as a devoted caregiver to her husband. He died from Parkinson's Disease in 2011. They were preceded in death by their son Thomas in 1977. She was also preceded in death by sisters Virginia Watkins and Arline Poulos, and brother James Poulos. She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Beloved and admired by family and those who knew her, including many lifelong friends, she will be greatly missed. At her request, there will be no funeral.

Georgia Annabelle Dillon

August 2, 1925 - February 28, 2025