Alice Dillon has called Westfield home since 1962, when she moved here from Buffalo with her husband, Bob. They settled into their home on Lenox Avenue, right around the corner from Grant School, where the library is today. Alice and Bob raised their seven children (Marian, Dan, Andrew, David, Julia, Bob and Joan) here, and she has fond memories of their years at Grant School, where she was very active with the PTA.Shealso served as the producer of the annual parents’ show for several years, and made costumes for many of the shows. Bob worked in finance for several companies, and the family moved a couple of times for short periods when necessary for Bob’s career, but each time they rented their home on Lenox Avenue and came back to it. Bob and Alice were both very active in the community, serving in many volunteer roles over the years. Some of the organizations they were involved with include: the Westfield United Fund (Bob was on the Board, and he and Alice co-chaired the annual campaign.); the Westfield Community Center; the Westfield Neighborhood Council (Bob was instrumental in its founding.); Westfield Senior Housing Corporation (Bob helped secure the Federal grants needed); Holy Trinity Church (they taught CCD classes together, and Bob was on the Finance Committee. Alice was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister for many years.); and the Rotary Club of Westfield.In 1994, Bob and Alice received the Rotary’s Charles Bailey Medallion to honor their years of community service. In 2004, Bob and Alice received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Overlook Hospital in recognition of their service to the community. Alice served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and then headed the Westfield Girl Scout Council for several years. She served on the Westfield Parent Teacher Council from 1978-1980, whenshe was elected to the Westfield Board of Education, serving there for three years. A lover of classical music, Alice happily served on the Board of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, now known as the NJ Festival Orchestra.She was also a docent at the Summit Arts Center for 22 years, helping to launch several programs for children there. She was a member of the Westfield Service League and the Friends of the Westfield Memorial Library, where she helped to initiate the Black History Month programs in 2012. She received the Friends’ Kenneth S. Gaston award in 2014, in recognition of her service to the library. Alice has been an active member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for many years. She believes strongly in Social Justice and the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our community.Now 92, Alice still maintains an active social life, and an interest in community affairs. She is a true Westfield treasure!
