April 26, 1936 ~ March 9, 2002
Resided in:
Torrance,, CA
Ann Dillie, a popular local educator and Torrance resident for over 40 years, passed away
on March 10 after a courageous fight against complications arising from surgery. Ann
taught elementary students as a Specialist Teacher in Reading and as a classroom teacher
in TUSD, adult education, children on local cable TV, and graduate students at National
University. She also did extensive private tutoring. Ann developed the ''A Dillie Sound
Approach for Reading Success'' reading system that was approved by the State of
California for purchase by school districts. Mrs. Dillie, as she was known to her students,
touched the lives and hearts of the thousands of students and their parents.
Ann felt God gave her the gift of teaching reading. Her goal in life was to help as many
as possible quickly and successfully learn to speak, read, write, and spell English. She
relied upon her extremely positive attitude, warmth, patience and love of children to
achieve this goal. She made it safe for all students to try, even an incorrect answer had
something in it that warranted praise.
Ann's other passions were: ballroom dancing (especially rumba, cha cha, and waltz),
singing in choirs, home decorating, and designing and sewing all her own clothes.
Survivors include: the love of Ann's life - her husband, Henry Sheehan, son - Paul E.
Norton, daughter - Merilee Norton, brother - Everett Coon, sister - Mary Coatsworth,
stepdaughter - Christine Doerr, stepson Robert Sheehan, grandchildren - Paul W. Norton,
Zane Cole Norton, and Annelise L. Doerr, and the countless others whose lives she
touched through her teaching and amazing generosity of spirit.
Memorial rites will be conducted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. in the
Church of Religious Science, 907 Knob Hill Ave., Redondo Beach.
Guestbook
Hello Mrs. Dillie\’s family, I AM 16. My family and I would like to give you our condolences and deepest sympathies for you all. My fondest memories of Mrs. Dillie lie within my heart and spirit and most of all her classroom where she taught me to read and to be able to do the things I do now easily. Mrs.Dillie taught me lessons and acts of helpfulness for my life and my family. I ,personally send my greatest and deepest condolences to you all. when i found out today i cried. She meant alot to me and was the root of all my aspirations. Thank you all for giving me a moment to tell you my most memorable moments. Mrs. Dillie was my greatest inspiration and my fondest teacher. I am so sorry for your loss. In time pain will pass, it\’s temporary…memories are forever. She will live in all of our hearts and soles as an angel sent from above. She will always be an angel from heaven to all of us around her and people who knew her and love her forever.
Dear Mrs. Dillies family, I was reading the paper tonight and found this notice. I was intrigued to learn that Mrs. Dillie taught grad students at National University! I am currently in the grad program at the Inglewood campus now. Did she teach there? If you would like, I can scan this memorial notice onto National\’s website for anyone who may have known her. I am certain she made a difference in the lives of the grad students there, as I have found attending National and getting to know it\’s instructors to be a wonderful opportunity for growth. Thank you for sharing the wonderful history of her accomplishments! My thoughts are with you during this time. Sinceerely, Linda School Psychology Program National University L.A. Campus
We remember Ann with great affection from the years we were in the same church choir and our daughters were in Indian Maidens together. She was a lovely, gracious lady who loved her family, her students, and her teaching. We extend our deepest sympathy to the whole family.