Katherine (Hunting) Dillingham

Katherine Hunting Dillingham, a homemaker who took great pride in the accomplishments of her family, died with her family by her side Sept. 23, 2016 at home in Boyne City, Michigan. Katherine, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, died of complications from lung cancer. She was 84-years-old.

Katherine was born March 20, 1932. She grew up in Garden City, New York where she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Dillingham, in junior high school. They started dating in high school and celebrated 61 years of marriage this June. Kay, as she was known as an adult, held numerous school and community volunteer positions as they moved nine times for Bob’s Air Force and advertising sales careers. Kay loved her role as a mother of five daughters and a grandmother to 15, teaching them to value family and its traditions above all else.

Kay embraced people, from life-long friends to strangers dining at a nearby table. She played in bridge and Bunco groups and belonged to a bowling league for decades. Her love of friends, relatives and her children’s friends prompted many to consider themselves family. A sentiment Kay encouraged.  She will always be remembered for her generosity in welcoming everyone into her home.

In addition to her husband, Kay is survived by her five daughters: Kathy Pfister of Boyne City, MI; Diane Huffman and her husband, Spencer, of Saint Charles, Il; Susan Shipp and her husband, Jeff, of Cabin John, MD; Nancy Quigley and her husband, Peter, of Birmingham, MI and Carol Rowe of Wilton, CT as well as 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Kay is also survived by her brother, Dwight Hunting and his wife, Emeline.

A memorial service will be held Saturday Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at Stackus Funeral Home, 417 Elm Street, Boyne City, MI, with burial immediately following at Maple Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Little Traverse Bay, One Hiland Drive, Petoskey, MI 49770. Donations are also accepted online at https://10739.thankyou4caring.org/pages/Give-a-Gift-MNM-Foundation. Please select Hospice of Little Traverse Bay from the Designation box and indicate that the gift is honor of Katherine Dillingham to ensure that the funds go to support the hospice’s in-home care services.

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