Nancy Jo (Behling) Dillon

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Dillon, Nancy Jo Behling age 74, of Brooklyn Center, MN passed peacefully from this life to the next on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Born and raised in Queens, NYC, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wagner College, Master's in Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing from the Univ. of Cincinnati, and PhD in Higher Education from the Univ. of Mississippi. Nancy met Robert "Bob" Dillon while living in Cincinnati; they married in 1974 and moved to Minnesota in 1983. Caring and devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, mentor, and friend - Nancy was all these things and more to so many people. Both feisty and incredibly funny, her bright smile and welcoming nature helped everyone feel at ease. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Nancy was a tireless advocate for individuals experiencing mental illness. She spent 20 years serving veterans at the Mpls VA Medical Center, then 9 years as Nurse Executive for the MN Dept. of Human Services, plus time as a nursing instructor at the U of M. A recognized leader in her field, Nancy was awarded for Excellence in Nursing by the American Psychiatric Nurses Assoc. (APNA) in 2008. She later served on the Board of Directors for the MN chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Nancy was also a pioneering expert on professional boundaries in nursing, presenting her work across the country. Survived by husband Bob, son Matthew (Tracy) Dillon of Minnetrista, daughter Caroline "Cassie" Dillon of Minneapolis, beloved grandchildren Owen and Carlye, and sister Jill Padua of Narrowsburg, NY. Preceded in death by parents George Christel "Chris" Behling in April 2000 and Myrtle "Mickey" Carolina Henning Behling in Sept. 2000, as well as sister Barbara Goffin in Oct. 2011. Nancy will be cremated and interred at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Memorial service to be held once safe to gather in person for a true celebration of her life. Donations to NAMI Minnesota, 1919 University Ave. W., Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55104. gearty-delmore.com 763-537-4511

Published on December 20, 2020