In Loving Memory of

Kitten Ann Dillon

Mrs. Kitten Ann Dillon entered into rest August 31, 2024 at her home in Valley, WA.  Just prior to her birth, her parents, Roger and Barbara (Klinehans) Laws were discussing her upcoming arrival with their 2 sons.  The boys were very excited to have a new baby.  One of the boys in his excitement stated that he would care for the baby like Mama Kitten cares for her babies.  Upon hearing this, their father announced that her name would be Kitten.  And so, it was!  Kitten was born April 12, 1957, in Torrence, California.

Her family would relocate to Chewelah, Washington when she was a young girl.  The family purchased a ranch in the Summit Valley area.  They raised cattle and hogs. Never one to be told she couldn't do something, Kitten learned to do all the work her brothers did on the ranch… taking care of the animals, caring for the property, working on the tractor.  It was during her teens that she met Steve.  They were attending Jenkins High School.  Steve knew right away that she was the one for him.  And so, the two would marry in 1974 while Kitten was still in high school.  She would graduate a year later in 1975. Steve entered the military and the couple would spend 3 years in Germany and 1.5 years in California.  Steve returned to Germany for a short time and Kitten returned to the ranch in Chewelah until he came back to the States. The couple welcomed two children into their family – Alone (pronounced Allen) and Jessica.

Throughout the years the ranch would be Kitten's sanctuary.  She loved being there and working hard.  She especially loved working in the sun and driving the tractor.  During hay season, she and the family would work throughout the day and finish by going to Lake Roosevelt to swim and play before going home for dinner.

Kitten was never one to sit still or expect someone else to take care of her or her family.  She became a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) and then a Registered Nurse (RN) to help provide for her family.  She was blessed to work with some amazing patients while working at Pinewood Terrace and while doing in home health care.  Kitten would take business and accounting classes that would lead to her becoming the manager of the Pizza Factory Restaurant in Colville.  She would work for several years at the Chewelah Casino – beginning as a cook, moving to security, and finally surveillance.

Kitten was an incredible cook.  After they were married, Steve says he discovered there was a different way to cook than the way his mother had done!  Foods weren't cooked to the point being shoe leather or bricks!  They had flavor and texture.  Over the years he learned some culinary skills himself having observed Kitten in the kitchen.  On the occasion he was preparing a meal, he would insist that Kitten join him so that she could offer suggestions of spices to better enhance the recipes.  Kitten did a lot of canning as well.  She would put up peaches and apricots and pears.  There were jellies and jams as well.  And when the jelly didn't set properly – it was used as syrup!

Kitten is preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Steve; daughter Jessica and son Alone (Allen); her grandchildren; and brothers, Jess Laws of Chico, California and Gary Laws of Chandler, Arizona.

There are no services planned at this time.  A gathering will be held at a later date.

Please visit the online memorial website and sign her guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory have been entrusted with his care.