Obituary of Grace Ann Kolbert Dillon

Grace Ann Kolbert Dillon, 65, of Manchester, NJ peacefully passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ after a lifelong and courageous battle with kidney disease. She was the loving wife of Walter Francis Dillon Jr., with whom she celebrated 41 years of marriage in May of this year. Grace was born in Princeton, NJ to the late Harry F. Kolbert, former longtime Skillman N.J. Postmaster, and Eleanora (McAlinden) Kolbert. She was their fourth daughter of eight daughters. She graduated from Montgomery High School, Skillman, NJ, and Bay State College, Boston, MA, with a degree in fashion retailing. She loved Boston and after college remained there, employed in the buying department of Filene’s Department Store. She came home to Skillman due to illness but returned to Boston to receive a kidney transplant in 1981. Her family wishes to remember in gratitude the family of the kidney donor, and the kidney transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital for giving Grace the gift of a healthy life for many years. Grace was a gifted photographer and chronicled all of her large family’s important events. She loved spending time with her family in her summer home on Long Beach Island. She was a talented craftsperson and delighted in surprising her extended family with her homemade creations. Grace had always loved cats, and had many beloved pets, but she probably loved her little dog, Binkie-woo, the best. She was also a gifted storyteller and her funny stories kept us all amused. In addition to her husband, Grace is survived by her two children, Charles Francis Dillon and Chelsea Ann Dillon Franczak, as well as her son-in-law, Dr. William Franczak. Other survivors are her mother, Eleanora Kolbert, and her seven sisters; Ann Marie Maldarelli (Anthony), Nora Kolbert, Rosanne Sarnese (William), Rita Lesczynski (Randy), Claire Fazio (Philip), Alice Kolbert and Paula Gebhart (Norman). In addition to these, Grace is survived by 14 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and 17 great nieces and nephews, as well as her lifelong friend, Debbie Kozesnik Lorenzetti. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank all the medical personnel at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center and the Fresenius Dialysis Center in Toms River, who provided Grace with excellent medical care and support through all these years. A memorial service was held by her family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Covenant House at www.covenanthouse.org or Vested Interested in K9s Inc at www.vik9s.org.