Mary Jo Walker, 92, of Twin Falls, Idaho came into this world in Quay, Oklahoma on August 2, 1930 to Simeon Newton Dillon and Mary Margaret (Hettenbach) Dillon.
Mary Jo was a long standing and devout member of St. Edward’s Church in Twin Falls, Idaho except for the few years she attended St. Patrick’s when the family lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. She enjoyed many games of pinochle with fellow parishioners and spent many hours praying rosaries and other prayers for family and friends.
Mary Jo was extremely proud of the fact that she attended St. Edward’s School at its very first location on 2nd Ave East in Twin Falls. She graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1949, the year of the Great Blizzard. She also received a degree in Child Care from CSI in July of 1988.
Mary Jo met Leon Walker from Colgate, Oklahoma after both families migrated to Idaho. On October 18, 1951 they married in the town of Elko, Nevada and started their family life in Twin Falls. To this union came five daughters: Nancy Ann, Jacqueline “Jacqui” Lee, Cathy Dee, Barbara Lynn and Robin Rene.
Mary Jo was always keeping busy throughout her life. She watched other children, hoed in the fields, picked fruit, learned how to sew and knit. She kept her girls, husband and others in many homemade clothes and knitted items. She created lovely quilts for family members. She planted vegetable gardens along with many varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. She was a prolific home canner and wasn’t afraid to try new dishes. She collected cookbooks and recipes of all kinds. When her girls were older she also helped her husband Leon with his business keeping books and finishing concrete. Throughout the years Mary Jo and Leon opened their home to many nieces, nephews and grandchildren to stay with them when the need arose. She lived a busy life, was a voracious reader but found the time to go fishing when she could.
Mary Jo loved babies. It didn’t matter if they had 2 or 4 legs. While still living in town, we had baby chicks in the garage and a young colt named Mike in the back yard until they were old enough to be out at the 10 acres. Finally moving out to the farm, she included chickens, rabbits, goats and other animals in her little “Noah’s Ark”. Her love of babies and young children is what prompted her to get her child care degree.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Jacqui Bibeau; sisters; Iva “Ivy” Bridgett Turley Green, Barbara “Bob” Ellen Wolverton, Edith Catherine Roland and brothers; Simeon Charles “Dutch” Dillon, William “Mike” Robert Dillon, Edward “Ed” Victor Dillon, Louis “Fat” Anthony Dillon, and James “Jim” Francis Dillon along with many other beloved family members.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband Leon; daughters Nancy Keane, Cathy
(Chris) Ward, Barbara (James) Fox and Robin (Nick) Bradish; brother Joseph “Short” Snyder Dillon.
The family would like to extend many thanks to Dr. Trevor Satterfield, personal physician along with Sam, Tanya, Alice and others from Hospice Visions who helped in the care of Mary Jo towards the end. A very, very special thanks to Anne Taylor, a treasured family friend who visited Mary Jo and Leon on a daily basis during the last months of Mary Jo’s life. She showed compassion and love for them in so many ways.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a monetary donation in Mary Jo’s memory, to St. Edward’s School Angel Fund or St. Edward’s School Foundation.