On 21 January 2014, Harriet Dillingham passed away as a result of a stroke. Born in Palatka to Margaret MacIlvaine and Percy Devereaux (Pete) Collins on 13 March 1922, she was raised, along with her beloved brother David, by their mother in Palatka after the untimely death of their father. She remained in Palatka amongst extended family until her graduation from Florida State College for Women (now known Florida State University) in 1943. She had previously graduated from Putnam High School. Having met and married John Raymond (Jerry) Dillingham, USMC, of Pittsburgh, PA, in Palatka in 1942, she began a long career as a military spouse and mother until their separation in 1962. Her stops in life included various locations in California, North and South Carolina, Hawaii, Florida, and Virginia. She embarked on a lifelong career as a teacher and was happiest when teaching reading and English to elementary aged children. She settled in northern California to be near her brother until his passing in 1986. In 1989 she relocated to Palatka, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a lifelong member and devotee of St. Marks Episcopal Church even when she was far away. Her travels included sightseeing trips around the United States with friends, tours in Western Europe, a year as an exchange teacher in England, residential language programs in France, and visits to family and friends throughout the US.
Her lifelong interest in music and literature were well known to friends and family. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and music and was devoted to her favorite authors. A principal joy in her life was her participation in choirs and choruses. She was passionate about singing and sang until the last days of her life.
She raised four children principally on her own while relocating her household numerous times. She dealt with change, unruly children, and financial adversity in an era when little support was available to military spouses or single parents. She supported her children and their children when she could and loved her grandchildren dearly. Family both past and present were important to her life.
Her lifelong interest in music and literature were well known to friends and family. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and music and was devoted to her favorite authors. A principal joy in her life was her participation in choirs and choruses. She was passionate about singing and sang until the last days of her life.
She raised four children principally on her own while relocating her household numerous times. She dealt with change, unruly children, and financial adversity in an era when little support was available to military spouses or single parents. She supported her children and their children when she could and loved her grandchildren dearly. Family both past and present were important to her life.
On 21 January 2014, Harriet Dillingham passed away as a result of a stroke. Born in Palatka to Margaret MacIlvaine and Percy Devereaux (Pete) Collins on 13 March 1922, she was raised, along with her beloved brother David, by their mother in Palatka after the untimely death of their father. She remained in Palatka amongst extended family until her graduation from Florida State College for Women (now known Florida State University) in 1943. She had previously graduated from Putnam High School. Having met and married John Raymond (Jerry) Dillingham, USMC, of Pittsburgh, PA, in Palatka in 1942, she began a long career as a military spouse and mother until their separation in 1962. Her stops in life included various locations in California, North and South Carolina, Hawaii, Florida, and Virginia. She embarked on a lifelong career as a teacher and was happiest when teaching reading and English to elementary aged children. She settled in northern California to be near her brother until his passing in 1986. In 1989 she relocated to Palatka, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a lifelong member and devotee of St. Marks Episcopal Church even when she was far away. Her travels included sightseeing trips around the United States with friends, tours in Western Europe, a year as an exchange teacher in England, residential language programs in France, and visits to family and friends throughout the US.
Her lifelong interest in music and literature were well known to friends and family. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and music and was devoted to her favorite authors. A principal joy in her life was her participation in choirs and choruses. She was passionate about singing and sang until the last days of her life.
She raised four children principally on her own while relocating her household numerous times. She dealt with change, unruly children, and financial adversity in an era when little support was available to military spouses or single parents. She supported her children and their children when she could and loved her grandchildren dearly. Family both past and present were important to her life.
Her lifelong interest in music and literature were well known to friends and family. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of opera and music and was devoted to her favorite authors. A principal joy in her life was her participation in choirs and choruses. She was passionate about singing and sang until the last days of her life.
She raised four children principally on her own while relocating her household numerous times. She dealt with change, unruly children, and financial adversity in an era when little support was available to military spouses or single parents. She supported her children and their children when she could and loved her grandchildren dearly. Family both past and present were important to her life.
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See more Dillingham or Collins memorials in:
- Saint Marks Episcopal Church Columbarium Dillingham or Collins
- Palatka Dillingham or Collins
- Putnam County Dillingham or Collins
- Florida Dillingham or Collins
- USA Dillingham or Collins
- Find a Grave Dillingham or Collins
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