Gloria L. (Dillon) Paulson

March 7, 1934 - June 29, 2013

Gloria L. (Dillon) Paulson, 79, passed away peacefully at home during last rites, surrounded by her family on June 29th, her mother, Lucy’s birthday, after a long and courageous battle with inclusion body myositis. She was born Gloria Lucille Dillon in Santa Barbara, California on March 7th, 1934, daughter of Lucille and James Dillon. She came to Rockford in 7th grade, was the tallest in her class and immediately, ‘well liked by all’. She graduated from Muldoon High School in 1952. She was class president or vice president, all four years. She earned a full Scholarship to Barry College in Miami, Florida. As was common in the day, she was whisked off to be married later that same year. She balanced her career as an executive assistant (Co-op Extension, HHM&A, Autopoint, Cain & Co, WMDM, and Amcore Bank) with the challenging job of raising three sons on her own. Later, she met the true love of her life, Melvin Paulson and was happily remarried on December 2, 1967. Active in St. James Church, particularly Voice of the Faithful and Free Spirits, and heavily involved in volunteering, her life’s passion was to make people happy, to care for them, to be a friend, to support. Scholar, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, friend, volunteer, bridge-partner extraordinaire, swimmer, Gloria embraced each of these roles with vigor. She lit up rooms she entered and warmed and brightened the lives she touched. The word “charismatic” fit her perfectly. Gloria is survived by sons Mark Patrick, Greg Paul (Lea Ann Francis), Jeff Dillon, by “daughter” Beverly Bellows (Mark Heiderscheit, (children Austin and Ashley)), and by stepchildren Susan, Shelly, Sandy & Steve; grandchildren Zachary Hogan, Hannah Hogan, Arielle Jorgensen (D. Michael) and Conor Hogan; great grandchildren Sophia Hogan and M. Dillon Jorgensen and a host of extended family members and ‘best friends’ too numerous to mention. Last but not least are her beloved pets and constant companions, Molly the dog and “Gazzie-cat”. She was predeceased by mother Lucille and father Jim Dillon and her husband and eternal partner, Mel Paulson. A special thank you goes to the volunteers of Heartland Hospice, and to Lisa and Kev Noakes, who were her caregivers and guardian angels. On Wednesday, July 3rd, all are welcome to a visitation at Grace & Cremation Services, 5:00 to 7:00 pm, 1340 South Alpine Rd. Rockford, at Colonial Village. A service to celebrate Gloria’s life will be held Friday, July 5th, at 12:00 p.m. at St. James Church in Rockford, 428 N. 2nd Street, Rockford; visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. will take place prior. At the conclusion of the Mass, we will move to Arlington Cemetery for the burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be accepted by Voice of The Faithful, sent to Grace Funeral & Cremation Services in Gloria’s honor. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.graceFH.com