Shirley Lorraine Dillon was born April 25, 1950, in Scotia. She was the fourth born of five children and was raised in Fortuna, where she was a Campfire Girl and graduated from Fortuna High. She grew up in a loving household surrounded by faith, traditional family values and lots of laughter.

As a teenager, her parents owned the Ruth Lake Marina, where she spent her summers working with her younger brother, Denny. In 1969 she married Lynn Dillon and became a permanent resident of Mad River, devoting an immense amount of her life to the community. She was an active member of several churches, where she coordinated Christmas pageants and taught Sunday school. She was an EMT, EMT 2 and dispatcher for STAR for over 40 years. She dispatched on the Mad River district for the US Forest Service during lightning events, where she was known as “Mom.” She volunteered at the Trinity County Fair, working in the Homestead and other exhibit buildings; organizing and distributing commodities to the community for over 15 years; volunteering with the local 4-H club by going on camping trips and making the best maple bars for their annual dessert auction. Shirley would also dedicate her time at the school by coming down to the classrooms and reading to the kids, while still being able to make her own family a priority and being there for them whenever they needed a helping hand or an ear to listen.

Shirley was widely known for her generosity, which could easily be seen through her baking. Anyone who knew her knew that she made the best donuts in the county. She also made many extravagant wedding cakes for couples over the years.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Lynn Dillon; her children, Julie Morss (Tommy), Jay Dillon (Heather), and Jeanette Rolff; her cherished grandchildren, Briana Lofing-Rolff, Rex Rolff, Kaitlynn Arroyo, Karly Dillon, Jerrad Morss, and Mariah Garlinghouse; and her great-grandchildren, Timberlyn Morss, Gavin Lofing, Phoebe Lofing, Addison Arroyo, and Jameson Rolff. She is also survived by her brother Ted Hulbert, his wife Rosalie, and their sons Greg and David; her sister Dorothy Sinjem, her husband John, and their children Jennifer and Jeff.; her sister Barbara Munz and her son Joe; her brother Dennis Hulbert, his wife Marque, and their daughter Jennai. As well as an endless number of dear friends far and wide. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Dan and Nita Hulbert, her brother-in-law Jim Munz, her nephews Chris and John Munz, her granddaughter Tommilyn and her grandson Riley Young.

She passed away on August 28, 2024, in Redding. She lived a life marked by devotion to her family, her faith, and her community. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on October 19 at Ruth Community Church, where family, friends, and community members will gather to celebrate her life and legacy. It will be followed by a potluck. Please coordinate with Briana (707) 572-8779, with what side, salad or dessert you’d like to bring.