Birth date: Dec 19, 1931 Death date: Aug 7, 2020
Rena Lou Dillon, daughter of Homer T. and Cecilia Masingill McCoole, was born December 19, 1931, in Atchison, Kansas. She departed this life Friday, August 7, 2020, in Table Rock Health Care Center, in Kimberling City, Missouri, a Read Obituary
I am so sorry to learn of Rena's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for her family.
Rob, Kim, and Kelli, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your mom was one of the reasons I so looked forward to camp every summer. Her hugs were legendary. I loved working in the kitchen with her and Andy Turpin’s mom, Madeline. Just to be around your mom made me feel special and loved and cared for.
She was a good nurse too. She had a chair in the pantry area of the kitchen, out of public view, that served as a first aid station. The time I slid off the tail of the pickup and then slid down the road while wearing a halter top (open backed), Rob got me to the kitchen and Mama D was there to console me as well as get things cleaned up. It always seemed like she was invincible and bigger than life, and her love for all of us was boundless. I envied you, getting to be with her year-round.
I can hear her now, telling one of us to ring the bell. Someday. we will hear her hearty laugh and get to see her again, full of energy and good health, clear-eyed and clear-minded, and get more of her legendary hugs.
The peace of the Lord be with you, beloved friends of old, as you grieve Rena’s passing.
—Annie Stinson Kirkpatrick
You need three things to get on in life. You need Hope. You need Faith. And you need to be a little pissed off. Cliff Springs was a special time in my life. Mama D made sure of it. I love you, Mama D.
Prayers for the family in the loss of this adorable lady.Rena was always so nice to everyone when she worked at Lebanon Care Center.May she rest in peace.
Patti Dozier
The first time I went to Cliff Springs, I was 8 or 9 years old and I arrived late because I played in a baseball game the day camp started. It must have been 10 or 11 at night when we got there, and as I stepped out of the car, I was immediately enveloped in a hug from Mama D. I've loved her ever since, as have so many "Cliff Springers" whose lives were made better because of the love and joy she gave so freely and happily. Rest in peace, Mama D.
The memories of Rena are numerous. It's difficult to select one. Her delight and enjoyment in being "Moma D" and her wonderful envolvement with the young campers who attended Cliff Springs over many years was remarkable. There are so many who hold wonderful lmemories of her.
Hank "The Tank" Rector
I have lost a very special lady in my life. Next to my mom, Rena aka Mama D, played a special role in raising me. She was my second mom, my summer mom. She had me during the summer when I would spend my whole summer down at Cliff Springs Camp. She met me at age 7 as a camper who had a touch of home sickness. She quickly got me "better" with a Brachs Starlight Peppermint "homesick pill" (those starlight mints were used to cure many things). She got me so much better that I spent every week possible down at camp whether I was a camper, on her support staff or a counselor. She was there to love me unconditionally. She let me know when I screwed up, she offered a listening ear when I needed one, she offered sage advice on oh so many things, and always had a ready hug. I feel so fortunate to have had a chance to see her this past fall with several other of her "kids". Rest in peace Mama D. I wonder if you really know how many lives you touched.
