Lawrence V. DILLON A gentle and unassuming husband, father, friend and sponsor passed away peacefully on October 23, 2008 at 93 years of age. Larry was born in 1915 in Braddock, Pennsylvania into a lively family of six boys and one girl. After attending Purdue University, Larry began his first career as a civil engineer in Pittsburgh. He and Mary Ellen, his wife of 68 years, spent their first date at a summer picnic. They were married two years later in September of 1940. Together they had 7 children, 19 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. They moved to Washington State in 1965 and he changed his life's course by following his love for the arts. He acquired Frameguild and launched Lawrence V. Dillon Gallery in Belltown. Larry encouraged and fostered creativity and supported many emerging artists in the Seattle area. We will miss Larry, who led his life with dignity and serenity. He was passionate about family, Paris and contemporary art. He had an endearing sense of humor. He accepted life on life's terms and taught all who knew him through example. He had an all-encompassing respect for those who were less fortunate, reminding us gently, "There but for the grace of God, go I." A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 405 N 117th St, Seattle, 98133. A reception will be held at Quardev, located just north of University Village at 2707 NE Blakeley St., Seattle, WA 98105 beginning at 12:00 noon. To honor his memory, we encourage you be kind and generous to others in need. Published in the NWsource on 10/30/2008