Marlborough – “When you light a lamp for someone else, you brighten your own path too.” Jeannette Dilling’s path burned brightly for 82 years to the 3rd day of June 2021.
Jeannette Alice (Pariseau) Dilling was born to Emil S. Pariseau and Alice Rhea (Lavallee) Pariseau in Marlborough on March 12, 1939. Jan, as she was known to her dear friends, attended St. Anthony’s Elementary School and graduated from Marlborough High School in 1957.
Jan worked tirelessly as a single mother to support her family, often holding three jobs at a time. In the early years, Jan worked as a hairdresser, sewed leather designs for the Diamond Shoe Company and even took on “wash, dry, fold” jobs to make ends meet. Jan worked as an electronic assembler supervisor at RCA, Micro Switch, and Honeywell, and retired from Lockheed Martin in 2000.
Through it all, Jan found time to be an avid reader, crossword and word search puzzle solver. In recent years, Jan enjoyed lunch dates with the “girls” and always loved her family dearly.
Jan was a woman of deep and abiding faith, had a heart of gold and not only thought about others but worked to be the lamp that lit the way for them as well. Jeannette was a proud member of Women of the Moose, Marlborough Chapter #657 for many years. She was an avid pet lover who rescued many a dog from local animal shelters.
Jeannette was a foster parent who provided shelter, kindness and love to over 100 children in the Metrowest region. Her life of giving and nurturing culminated with an award in 2002 when she was recognized as Foster Parent of the Year. Truly, she brought comfort and compassion into the lives of everyone she met.
Jeannette is survived by her children, Raymond D. and his wife Anastasia, Howard W. Dilling and Patty Dilling, all of Marlborough. She was predeceased by her sister, Arline A. Cox, in 2009. Jeannette’s family grew to include five grandchildren, Raymond W. Dilling, Jessica Tetrault, Daniel Dilling, George Dilling, and Henry Dilling, and one great grandchild, Jason Dilling.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 8, at 10 a.m., in Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough. Calling hours will be held Monday, June 7, from 6-8 p.m., in the Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.
All are invited to sign Jan’s online guestbook at www.collinsfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an animal rescue organization of your choice.
