Obituary for Carole Carole Dilley (Jackson)
Carole Heath (Jackson) Dilley, Commander, U.S. Navy, Retired, 76, passed away on Wednesday September 22, 2021, at the residence on Union Street, with her husband by her side.
Born October 27, 1944 in Englewood, New Jersey, daughter of the late K. Bruce Jackson and Shirley Heath Fleet Jackson. She attended the Elizabeth Morrow School in Englewood and graduated fromTenafly (NJ) High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Drew University and was commissioned as Ensign, USN in April 1970. A specialist in Personal and Education Training Management, she served several tours in Washington, DC, including as Education and Training Command Placement Officer. In 1977 she was chosen to serve as the personal aide to the Navy's first non-nurse woman flag officer, Rear Admiral Fran McKee. Later, as a selectee for Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Dilley was the first woman to graduate with honors for which she received the equivalent of a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Affairs. Subsequently she served as Executive Officer of Navy Recruiting District Albany, New York and later as Commanding Officer, Personal Support Activity Newport.
On January 31, 1981, she married James E. Dilley, Commander, U.S. Navy, at the Mohawk Club in Schenectady, New York. Carole and Jim enjoyed more than 40 years traveling extensively in Europe, Hong Kong, Hawaii and throughout the United States and Canada, enjoying fine meals and good wine. They enjoyed singing in a variety of choruses and special vocal ensembles. Martha's Vineyard became the favorite vacation location in September.
After retiring from active duty, she joined the staff of Blithewold Mansion, Garden and Arboretum, an historic property in Bristol, Rhode Island. Over the next eight years, she served in several capacities including as senior garden guide, special events coordinator and site administrator. Carole Dilley was a devotee of gardening and particularly enjoyed her membership in the Woman's National Flower and garden Association, Cambridge Area Branch. She served as a Branch officer and later as Treasurer of the New York Division.
She was a direct descendant of many of our country's original founding families including Mayflower passengers Elder William Brewster and Stephen Hopkins; Captain Henry Fleete, patriarch of one of the First Families of Virginia, and more than a dozen Revolutionary War patriots. Commander Dilley was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Over time she served as Secretary and then Deputy Governor of the Rhode Island Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was a committed member of DAR serving as chapter regent of the Aquidneck Island chapter in Newport, RI as well as State Recording Secretary in Rhode Island Society. Later, she was twice elected chapter regent of the Ondawa-Cambridge chapter in Cambridge, New York; first in March 2009 to May 2013 and again from May 2019 to May 2021.
Besides her parents she is predeceased by her brother Christopher Stevens Jackson of Centreville, Maryland. In addition to her husband, Commander Dilley is survived by her sister Barbara Fleet Jackson Hoffman of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania as well as several nieces and nephews and her beloved beagles, Colin and Nora. Over time, Carole and Jim loved and cared for 13 dogs ranging from senior “rescues” to American AKC Champion show beagles.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday September 30th, at 11:00 am, from the Old First Church in Old Bennington, Vermont. Private burial with full Military honors will follow the service in Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge, New York.
Memorial remembrances may be directed to an animal rescue organization of choice or a local food bank. Arrangements are under the care of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York
Born October 27, 1944 in Englewood, New Jersey, daughter of the late K. Bruce Jackson and Shirley Heath Fleet Jackson. She attended the Elizabeth Morrow School in Englewood and graduated fromTenafly (NJ) High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Drew University and was commissioned as Ensign, USN in April 1970. A specialist in Personal and Education Training Management, she served several tours in Washington, DC, including as Education and Training Command Placement Officer. In 1977 she was chosen to serve as the personal aide to the Navy's first non-nurse woman flag officer, Rear Admiral Fran McKee. Later, as a selectee for Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Dilley was the first woman to graduate with honors for which she received the equivalent of a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Affairs. Subsequently she served as Executive Officer of Navy Recruiting District Albany, New York and later as Commanding Officer, Personal Support Activity Newport.
On January 31, 1981, she married James E. Dilley, Commander, U.S. Navy, at the Mohawk Club in Schenectady, New York. Carole and Jim enjoyed more than 40 years traveling extensively in Europe, Hong Kong, Hawaii and throughout the United States and Canada, enjoying fine meals and good wine. They enjoyed singing in a variety of choruses and special vocal ensembles. Martha's Vineyard became the favorite vacation location in September.
After retiring from active duty, she joined the staff of Blithewold Mansion, Garden and Arboretum, an historic property in Bristol, Rhode Island. Over the next eight years, she served in several capacities including as senior garden guide, special events coordinator and site administrator. Carole Dilley was a devotee of gardening and particularly enjoyed her membership in the Woman's National Flower and garden Association, Cambridge Area Branch. She served as a Branch officer and later as Treasurer of the New York Division.
She was a direct descendant of many of our country's original founding families including Mayflower passengers Elder William Brewster and Stephen Hopkins; Captain Henry Fleete, patriarch of one of the First Families of Virginia, and more than a dozen Revolutionary War patriots. Commander Dilley was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Over time she served as Secretary and then Deputy Governor of the Rhode Island Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was a committed member of DAR serving as chapter regent of the Aquidneck Island chapter in Newport, RI as well as State Recording Secretary in Rhode Island Society. Later, she was twice elected chapter regent of the Ondawa-Cambridge chapter in Cambridge, New York; first in March 2009 to May 2013 and again from May 2019 to May 2021.
Besides her parents she is predeceased by her brother Christopher Stevens Jackson of Centreville, Maryland. In addition to her husband, Commander Dilley is survived by her sister Barbara Fleet Jackson Hoffman of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania as well as several nieces and nephews and her beloved beagles, Colin and Nora. Over time, Carole and Jim loved and cared for 13 dogs ranging from senior “rescues” to American AKC Champion show beagles.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday September 30th, at 11:00 am, from the Old First Church in Old Bennington, Vermont. Private burial with full Military honors will follow the service in Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge, New York.
Memorial remembrances may be directed to an animal rescue organization of choice or a local food bank. Arrangements are under the care of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York