Rowena McNeel Dillon '55

9/26/2012

Rowena McNeel Dillon died on August 5, 2005. She and was born Nov. 23, 1937 in San Antonio to Jess and Adalee McNeel. She was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, beloved friend, artist, rancher, hiker and philanthropist. She loved her family, her friends, and her home country of South Texas. Rowena grew up in San Antonio on Moringside Drive next to her McNeel grandparents and also at the Esperanza Ranch in Fowlerton. For the majority of her early education she attended St. Mary's Hall and recently hosted part of her class' 50th Reunion. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1959.

In July 2005 she and David Dillon celebrated forty-five years of marriage and the family that union supported; her daughter Rena, her husband Ren 5/8 and their children, Ren 5/8 and Hannah; her son Reilly, his wife Stephanie and their daughter, Shelby; her sister, Jane, niece and nephews, and all her McNeel and Maverick cousins. She knew and loved her family's history in this country and especially in Texas. Rowena was a tireless worker and supported many organizations in San Antonio. A founder and benefactor of Hospice San Antonio, she also was supporter of Bazaar Sabado and the S.A.M.O.A. and especially it's Latin American collection.

She loved her church communities both at Christ Episcopal Church and in recent years at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She worked hard to start and support Ruby's Kitchen Ministry at St. Mark's, which fed the homeless in downtown. Rowena's generosity, energy, faithfulness and her gifts for creating beauty and hospitality made her homes in San Antonio, the ranch and Santa Fe places of enjoyment, celebration and solace for her family and friends.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Rowena's family wishes to thank Senior Bridge and Vitas. Their professional, compassionate care allowed her to spend her last days in Texas in her home, surrounded by the love that she nurtured energetically for many years.

Her parents Jess and Adalee McNeel, and her sister, Noel McNeel Gordon predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, David T. Dillon, her children, Rena Dillon Cruz and Reilly McNeel Dillon and her grandchildren; also by her sister Jane M. Keller; and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 9th from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 9th from

4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M at Porter Loring. Memorial service Wednesday, August 10, 2005 2:00 p.m. St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan, reception following in the parish hall Memorials in honor of Rowena M. Dillon may be made to Wings, a local Breast cancer charity, 7500 Hwy. 90 W., # 240, San Antonio, TX 78227; St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Ruby's Kitchen Ministry, 315 E. Pecan, San Antonio, TX 78205; Good Samaritan Center, Literary Arts Program, 1600 Sausalito St., San Antonio, TX 78207; Texas Diabetes Institute of University Health System, Attn: Teri de la Haya, 527 N. Leona, San Antonio, TX 78207; Hospice San Antonio, 8721 Botts, San Antonio, TX 78217; and San Antonio Museum of Arts, Latin American Collection, 200 W. Jones, San Antonio, TX 78215.

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