Sarah E. Dillon, 18, Overland Park, KS, passed away November 24, 2011. Private services with burial in Mt. Washington Cemetery were on Tuesday, November 29th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Sarah Dillon Memorial Fund, SPEC/Animal Haven, 9800 W. 67th St., Merriam, KS 66203. Sarah was born January 2, 1993, in Blue Springs, MO. Her entrance into this world was during the winter ice storm and KC Chiefs playoff loss to the Chargers. She graduated from Blue Valley Northwest in May 2011. She was attending JCCC leaning toward Social Worker. Sarah loved children and was a great "Big Cousin." She loved animals, nature, antiques and crafts. She was an "artsy" girl. She is survived by her mother Julie A. Lopata and her husband Lee; father William "Bill" Dillon; maternal grandparents Jim and Joan Kareck; paternal grandmother Evelyn Code and her husband Mike; uncles John and David Kareck; aunt Brenda Dillon; numerous other family members and friends. Sarah will live on through her gift of life to six other people through organ donation. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home. 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. (816) 942-2004
Published in Kansas City Star on November 30, 2011
Tribute | Sarah Dillon reached out to others
By RUTH BAUM BIGUS
Special to The Star
Six people received organs donated by Sarah Dillon, a recent graduate of Blue Valley Northwest.
Who: Sarah Dillon, 18, of Overland Park.
When and how she died: Nov. 24 of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Grand entrance: Sarah Dillon was a "laid-back, easygoing child," said her mother, Julie Lopata.
But her birth wasn't easy.
Sarah had been due on Christmas Eve but came a week late. When her mother's water finally broke in the middle of the night, her mom waited until morning to head to the hospital. At the time, an ice storm gripped the city.
"It took an hour and a half to do a drive that was normally 20 minutes," her mother recalled.
When Julie's labor had not progressed, the hospital sent her home. By midafternoon, during a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game, her contractions increased and she returned to the hospital.
"Her dad was upset with me because he was missing the playoff game," Julie recalled with a laugh. "Between contractions, everyone watched the game."
When Sarah finally arrived, she was a big baby.
"She didn't look like an infant, but a small toddler," Julie said.
The first granddaughter for Jim and Joan Kareck, Sarah "was always very special and very sweet — always willing to do things for you," her grandmother said.
As a toddler, Sarah smiled all the time.
As a child, she was close to her brother, who was two years older.
"I used to call them two peas in a pod," Julie said. "Where he was, she was."
Artistic: As she grew, Sarah developed an interest in art. She played the violin, took gymnastics and enjoyed photography, including visiting old cemeteries to take photos of the headstones.
Julie described her daughter as a "girly girl" who loved horseback riding and camping.
"She liked nature," Joan Kareck said. "When she'd come up to visit, she'd walk through the woods."
She also liked exploring the water's edge of Lake Michigan, her mother said.
"She would find old bottles and liked to see what was inside of them," Julie said.
Becoming her own person: While attending Harmony Middle School, Sarah worked with teacher Christie Dawson on academics in the school's learning center.
"It was so neat to see her confidence improve and see the person she became," said Christie, who served as Sarah's summer tutor as well.
"I saw so much growth in her," Christie said. "She became such a giving person. … The things she did were inspiring."
For example, Christie said, Sarah decided to ask a fellow student with challenges to be her prom date.
"He didn't drive, so she did. … It was her ability to reach out to other kids no matter what others thought," Christie said. "She was a good listener and compassionate."
The two stayed in touch as Sarah moved through high school, graduating from Blue Valley Northwest in May. At the time of her death, Sarah was attending Johnson County Community College and had decided to pursue a degree in social work.
Survivors include: Her mother and stepfather, her father, one brother, two grandmothers, one grandfather, and several aunts and uncles.
Final thoughts: Not long ago, Sarah signed the back of her driver's license to become an organ donor. Julie oversaw the donation of her organs, including her heart, pancreas, kidneys and corneas.
"Giving those six people a second chance to health and life was wonderful," Julie said. "She always wanted to be like me, and now I look at her and she is my hero. She brightened my life and completed me."
The Kansas City Star, January 6, 2012
Published in Kansas City Star on November 30, 2011
Tribute | Sarah Dillon reached out to others
By RUTH BAUM BIGUS
Special to The Star
Six people received organs donated by Sarah Dillon, a recent graduate of Blue Valley Northwest.
Who: Sarah Dillon, 18, of Overland Park.
When and how she died: Nov. 24 of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Grand entrance: Sarah Dillon was a "laid-back, easygoing child," said her mother, Julie Lopata.
But her birth wasn't easy.
Sarah had been due on Christmas Eve but came a week late. When her mother's water finally broke in the middle of the night, her mom waited until morning to head to the hospital. At the time, an ice storm gripped the city.
"It took an hour and a half to do a drive that was normally 20 minutes," her mother recalled.
When Julie's labor had not progressed, the hospital sent her home. By midafternoon, during a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game, her contractions increased and she returned to the hospital.
"Her dad was upset with me because he was missing the playoff game," Julie recalled with a laugh. "Between contractions, everyone watched the game."
When Sarah finally arrived, she was a big baby.
"She didn't look like an infant, but a small toddler," Julie said.
The first granddaughter for Jim and Joan Kareck, Sarah "was always very special and very sweet — always willing to do things for you," her grandmother said.
As a toddler, Sarah smiled all the time.
As a child, she was close to her brother, who was two years older.
"I used to call them two peas in a pod," Julie said. "Where he was, she was."
Artistic: As she grew, Sarah developed an interest in art. She played the violin, took gymnastics and enjoyed photography, including visiting old cemeteries to take photos of the headstones.
Julie described her daughter as a "girly girl" who loved horseback riding and camping.
"She liked nature," Joan Kareck said. "When she'd come up to visit, she'd walk through the woods."
She also liked exploring the water's edge of Lake Michigan, her mother said.
"She would find old bottles and liked to see what was inside of them," Julie said.
Becoming her own person: While attending Harmony Middle School, Sarah worked with teacher Christie Dawson on academics in the school's learning center.
"It was so neat to see her confidence improve and see the person she became," said Christie, who served as Sarah's summer tutor as well.
"I saw so much growth in her," Christie said. "She became such a giving person. … The things she did were inspiring."
For example, Christie said, Sarah decided to ask a fellow student with challenges to be her prom date.
"He didn't drive, so she did. … It was her ability to reach out to other kids no matter what others thought," Christie said. "She was a good listener and compassionate."
The two stayed in touch as Sarah moved through high school, graduating from Blue Valley Northwest in May. At the time of her death, Sarah was attending Johnson County Community College and had decided to pursue a degree in social work.
Survivors include: Her mother and stepfather, her father, one brother, two grandmothers, one grandfather, and several aunts and uncles.
Final thoughts: Not long ago, Sarah signed the back of her driver's license to become an organ donor. Julie oversaw the donation of her organs, including her heart, pancreas, kidneys and corneas.
"Giving those six people a second chance to health and life was wonderful," Julie said. "She always wanted to be like me, and now I look at her and she is my hero. She brightened my life and completed me."
The Kansas City Star, January 6, 2012
Sarah E. Dillon, 18, Overland Park, KS, passed away November 24, 2011. Private services with burial in Mt. Washington Cemetery were on Tuesday, November 29th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Sarah Dillon Memorial Fund, SPEC/Animal Haven, 9800 W. 67th St., Merriam, KS 66203. Sarah was born January 2, 1993, in Blue Springs, MO. Her entrance into this world was during the winter ice storm and KC Chiefs playoff loss to the Chargers. She graduated from Blue Valley Northwest in May 2011. She was attending JCCC leaning toward Social Worker. Sarah loved children and was a great "Big Cousin." She loved animals, nature, antiques and crafts. She was an "artsy" girl. She is survived by her mother Julie A. Lopata and her husband Lee; father William "Bill" Dillon; maternal grandparents Jim and Joan Kareck; paternal grandmother Evelyn Code and her husband Mike; uncles John and David Kareck; aunt Brenda Dillon; numerous other family members and friends. Sarah will live on through her gift of life to six other people through organ donation. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home. 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. (816) 942-2004
Published in Kansas City Star on November 30, 2011
Tribute | Sarah Dillon reached out to others
By RUTH BAUM BIGUS
Special to The Star
Six people received organs donated by Sarah Dillon, a recent graduate of Blue Valley Northwest.
Who: Sarah Dillon, 18, of Overland Park.
When and how she died: Nov. 24 of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Grand entrance: Sarah Dillon was a "laid-back, easygoing child," said her mother, Julie Lopata.
But her birth wasn't easy.
Sarah had been due on Christmas Eve but came a week late. When her mother's water finally broke in the middle of the night, her mom waited until morning to head to the hospital. At the time, an ice storm gripped the city.
"It took an hour and a half to do a drive that was normally 20 minutes," her mother recalled.
When Julie's labor had not progressed, the hospital sent her home. By midafternoon, during a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game, her contractions increased and she returned to the hospital.
"Her dad was upset with me because he was missing the playoff game," Julie recalled with a laugh. "Between contractions, everyone watched the game."
When Sarah finally arrived, she was a big baby.
"She didn't look like an infant, but a small toddler," Julie said.
The first granddaughter for Jim and Joan Kareck, Sarah "was always very special and very sweet — always willing to do things for you," her grandmother said.
As a toddler, Sarah smiled all the time.
As a child, she was close to her brother, who was two years older.
"I used to call them two peas in a pod," Julie said. "Where he was, she was."
Artistic: As she grew, Sarah developed an interest in art. She played the violin, took gymnastics and enjoyed photography, including visiting old cemeteries to take photos of the headstones.
Julie described her daughter as a "girly girl" who loved horseback riding and camping.
"She liked nature," Joan Kareck said. "When she'd come up to visit, she'd walk through the woods."
She also liked exploring the water's edge of Lake Michigan, her mother said.
"She would find old bottles and liked to see what was inside of them," Julie said.
Becoming her own person: While attending Harmony Middle School, Sarah worked with teacher Christie Dawson on academics in the school's learning center.
"It was so neat to see her confidence improve and see the person she became," said Christie, who served as Sarah's summer tutor as well.
"I saw so much growth in her," Christie said. "She became such a giving person. … The things she did were inspiring."
For example, Christie said, Sarah decided to ask a fellow student with challenges to be her prom date.
"He didn't drive, so she did. … It was her ability to reach out to other kids no matter what others thought," Christie said. "She was a good listener and compassionate."
The two stayed in touch as Sarah moved through high school, graduating from Blue Valley Northwest in May. At the time of her death, Sarah was attending Johnson County Community College and had decided to pursue a degree in social work.
Survivors include: Her mother and stepfather, her father, one brother, two grandmothers, one grandfather, and several aunts and uncles.
Final thoughts: Not long ago, Sarah signed the back of her driver's license to become an organ donor. Julie oversaw the donation of her organs, including her heart, pancreas, kidneys and corneas.
"Giving those six people a second chance to health and life was wonderful," Julie said. "She always wanted to be like me, and now I look at her and she is my hero. She brightened my life and completed me."
The Kansas City Star, January 6, 2012
Published in Kansas City Star on November 30, 2011
Tribute | Sarah Dillon reached out to others
By RUTH BAUM BIGUS
Special to The Star
Six people received organs donated by Sarah Dillon, a recent graduate of Blue Valley Northwest.
Who: Sarah Dillon, 18, of Overland Park.
When and how she died: Nov. 24 of injuries suffered in a car accident.
Grand entrance: Sarah Dillon was a "laid-back, easygoing child," said her mother, Julie Lopata.
But her birth wasn't easy.
Sarah had been due on Christmas Eve but came a week late. When her mother's water finally broke in the middle of the night, her mom waited until morning to head to the hospital. At the time, an ice storm gripped the city.
"It took an hour and a half to do a drive that was normally 20 minutes," her mother recalled.
When Julie's labor had not progressed, the hospital sent her home. By midafternoon, during a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game, her contractions increased and she returned to the hospital.
"Her dad was upset with me because he was missing the playoff game," Julie recalled with a laugh. "Between contractions, everyone watched the game."
When Sarah finally arrived, she was a big baby.
"She didn't look like an infant, but a small toddler," Julie said.
The first granddaughter for Jim and Joan Kareck, Sarah "was always very special and very sweet — always willing to do things for you," her grandmother said.
As a toddler, Sarah smiled all the time.
As a child, she was close to her brother, who was two years older.
"I used to call them two peas in a pod," Julie said. "Where he was, she was."
Artistic: As she grew, Sarah developed an interest in art. She played the violin, took gymnastics and enjoyed photography, including visiting old cemeteries to take photos of the headstones.
Julie described her daughter as a "girly girl" who loved horseback riding and camping.
"She liked nature," Joan Kareck said. "When she'd come up to visit, she'd walk through the woods."
She also liked exploring the water's edge of Lake Michigan, her mother said.
"She would find old bottles and liked to see what was inside of them," Julie said.
Becoming her own person: While attending Harmony Middle School, Sarah worked with teacher Christie Dawson on academics in the school's learning center.
"It was so neat to see her confidence improve and see the person she became," said Christie, who served as Sarah's summer tutor as well.
"I saw so much growth in her," Christie said. "She became such a giving person. … The things she did were inspiring."
For example, Christie said, Sarah decided to ask a fellow student with challenges to be her prom date.
"He didn't drive, so she did. … It was her ability to reach out to other kids no matter what others thought," Christie said. "She was a good listener and compassionate."
The two stayed in touch as Sarah moved through high school, graduating from Blue Valley Northwest in May. At the time of her death, Sarah was attending Johnson County Community College and had decided to pursue a degree in social work.
Survivors include: Her mother and stepfather, her father, one brother, two grandmothers, one grandfather, and several aunts and uncles.
Final thoughts: Not long ago, Sarah signed the back of her driver's license to become an organ donor. Julie oversaw the donation of her organs, including her heart, pancreas, kidneys and corneas.
"Giving those six people a second chance to health and life was wonderful," Julie said. "She always wanted to be like me, and now I look at her and she is my hero. She brightened my life and completed me."
The Kansas City Star, January 6, 2012
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