Aletha Marie Dillon
June 10th, 1978 - February 14th, 2024
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Aletha's Obituary
Aletha Marie Dillon, 45, of Dowagiac, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at her home in Dowagiac. She was born June 10, 1978 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Daniel and Diane Bourdon Moore.
Aletha was born with a rare heart defect, which doctors believed would shorten her life to only several years at best. Once she surpassed those years, Aletha thrived for 40+ years longer than anyone expected and she made the most of her life with the time she was given. In her youth she was a competitive swimmer and an accomplished concert violist. Aletha’s joy in life was the love she had for her daughter, Avery. She enjoyed spending time in the garden with Avery, gaming together, cooking and travelling often. She was extremely connected to her natural surroundings, which showed in her love of all animals. Whether it was nursing baby raccoons to health, or conversing with her rabbit friends, there wasn’t an aspect of animal life that didn’t enthrall Aletha. She was also very passionate about Native American movements and the fight for equal rights of indigenous peoples. But nothing compared to the love and devotion she had for her partner of 16 years, Gabriel. Their true love for each other was second to none and will live on forever.
Aletha will be missed by her partner, Gabriel Smith; her daughter, Avery Dillon; and many extended family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation has taken place, and a private burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles, MI. Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
Aletha was born with a rare heart defect, which doctors believed would shorten her life to only several years at best. Once she surpassed those years, Aletha thrived for 40+ years longer than anyone expected and she made the most of her life with the time she was given. In her youth she was a competitive swimmer and an accomplished concert violist. Aletha’s joy in life was the love she had for her daughter, Avery. She enjoyed spending time in the garden with Avery, gaming together, cooking and travelling often. She was extremely connected to her natural surroundings, which showed in her love of all animals. Whether it was nursing baby raccoons to health, or conversing with her rabbit friends, there wasn’t an aspect of animal life that didn’t enthrall Aletha. She was also very passionate about Native American movements and the fight for equal rights of indigenous peoples. But nothing compared to the love and devotion she had for her partner of 16 years, Gabriel. Their true love for each other was second to none and will live on forever.
Aletha will be missed by her partner, Gabriel Smith; her daughter, Avery Dillon; and many extended family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation has taken place, and a private burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles, MI. Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.
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