NORTH VERNON
Debbie (Dillon) Mahoney, 63, passed away on December 21, 2017 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana inpatient facility.
Debbie was born July 27, 1954 to Glenn and Alice (Tarr) Dillon. She grew up in the small town of Grammer, Indiana where she had the most wonderful childhood full of great memories. She graduated from Columbus High School in 1973 and immediately started her career at Cummins. When she was just 32, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Against all odds she conquered breast cancer and had her daughter, Derika, in 1989.
Debbie always said that her greatest accomplishment was becoming a mother and she was the perfect blend of mother and best friend to Derika. She was actively involved in her daughter’s life and Derika’s friends often referred to her as their “second mom”.
She retired from Cummins after 30 years and began her second career of crafting, antiquing, and working at “The Yellow Brick Road” with some of her closest friends.
While working at “The Yellow Brick Road”, she met Dennis Mahoney and they married in 2009. Together, they enjoyed going to auctions, fishing on the lake, attending concerts, and many other adventures.
Debbie put a creative touch on everything she laid her hands on. From simple crafts around the house to single-handedly making all the decorations for Derika’s wedding, Debbie made everything unique. Her family often joked that she would be putting her own “rustic touch” on heaven to get it ready for the rest of them.
Survivors include her husband, Dennis; her daughter, Derika (Ethan) Arnholt-Ott; her mother, Alice Ruth Dillon; a brother, Danny (Barb) Dillon; niece, Amanda (Michael) Murphy; cousin, Karen Dailey; and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, Glenn Dillon; and her grandparents.
A funeral service for Debbie will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel with Rev. David Huey Officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Creek cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 26 at the funeral home, with additional visitation one hour prior to service time. Donations in Debbie’s name may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Mahoney family.
