Richie
  Your mom was truly one of a kind and we  immensely enjoyed her company.  Your father and mother treated us to Musso and Frank's while we were in Los Angeles on our honeymoon.   They were the perfect hosts - according to your mother, this was your father's last outing but he was wonderful and quite the elegant dresser!  

  I visited your mother while on business in Los Angeles a couple of times and we always had several laughs

She was a gem and will be missed terribly

Rick

What a beautiful soul thank you for all the fun memories of Christmas Times with my family! 

I'm so very sorry for her family's loss. She was such an extraordinary talent! It was always an annual event to watch the Christmas story at our house even with her adult children now. I was amazed by her performance in Absence of Malice. When it came to bringing some Mom realism to Close Encounters she did a brilliant job! She also really held her own in Prince of Tides, such a gentle soul. She will be sorely missed but we have such wonderful works of hers to continue enjoying and remembering her with. Again our families condolences to yours. 
The Olivers

Auntie Melinda, you will be deeply missed. Sandy 

Thank you Melinda... You're amazing talent will be missed.

Since the first time I saw Melinda's portrayal as Jillian Guiler in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), I have been awestruck by her powerful, innate gift for depicting human beings on screen. Her empathy and mothering love are devastatingly raw for everyone to feel. The sense of awe that Melinda conveys in that film is perfectly encapsulated by Jillian's commentary on the alien lights in the sky: "It's like Halloween for grown-ups". Her contribution to cinema is as magical as that single, transcendental moment. As a Film Curator, my only regret will always be not to have ever met her to convey in person just how much she has meant to me over the years. R.I.P. dear Melinda. Love to Richard and the whole family, Mickey La Rosa - London, UK

I am so sad to hear about the loss of this special lady. Many prayers for her family.

I am a lifelong Christmas Story fan. Thank you Melinda for so many memories. 

I was so sorry to hear of  Melinda Dillon’s passing.   I say this  with all sincerity, she was one of my favorite actors through the years. I saw many of her movies.  In each of those movies her roles enriched and elevated the status of them.  She was that good.  My deep condolences go out to her family and friends.  May she now RIP.  

I loved her work especially her mother roles even though fictional, gives me something to look up to.  god rest her soul! I look forward to seeing her every year she’ll continue to comfort me in a nostalgia blankie.

Dear Dillon family,
My heart was broken when I heard the news of MS. Dillon's passing. She has become a part of my family and our family traditions. We look forward to watching a "Christmas Story" together every year. 
From my family to yours, we would like to let you know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God help you find peace in this time of sorrow. 
God bless the Dillon family. 
Our sincerest condolences, 
Tonya Daniels & the Daniels Family 

RIP MY DEAR SISTER
YOUR TALENT HAS TOUCHED  SO
MANY
GOB BLESS YOU
FROM FAN
JOHN HELPS

Just a fan who enjoyed and enjoys everything she is in.  So beautiful, talented, kind, funny, genuine and transparent.  She will always be remembered every Christmas as long as life itself which is something that very few people, the billions who have lived and left us, can ever accomplish.  Prayers to the family and friends.  

This is going to break a lot of hearts across the world.  She played such singular roles with so much gentleness and charisma.  She represents "Mom" to how many people, young as she was, her role in Christmas Story showed people who don't know how a real mother is supposed to act and the important role she plays in actual families.  
She will be missed.  A sweet lady, obviously.  Our sincere sympathy to the entire Dillon family and community.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.  May she rest in peace, amen.

Rest in Peace Melinda and thank you for the warm memories, holidays, and laughs. 

So sorry to hear of Melinda’s passing. While I never got to meet her, I feel as I know her in some small way. Every Christmas she is on our tv playing the part of a beautiful mom that brings back fond memories of childhood. Thank you Melinda for giving all of us  a cherished tradition. 

Thank you for sharing your talented work with us. You will forever be remembered and missed. Much love Melinda, 
RIP🙏🏻.

Imagine the beauty of it…
That moment when the soul of a loved one returns to the stars, each voice whispering,
“I remember you!”

Rest in peace, Ralphie’s mom❣️

Ms. Dillon has left behind a beautiful legacy, she is "the mom" we all had, if we were lucky. She was also amazing in her craft - it took me 20+ years to realize "Hammerman's wife" was the same amazing actress in my absolute favorite movie! I celebrate the joy she has brought me in watching these two films so many times and will continue to watch, every time with a bit of sadness (but mostly with joy as every other time!)

Condolences, 
Jason

A very gifted actor who will be forever remembered fondly for her work. Thank you for giving us those wonderful memories. Condolences to her loved ones and those who were lucky enough to know her personally. 

I remember you fondly in "A Christmas Story", it is my favorite Christmas movie.
Eternal rest grant unto Melinda, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

She will be missed I  enjoy watching the Christmas story every year 

She was the best on close encounters with the third kind, prayers to her family 

She was a gifted actress and I love watching a Christmas Story each year. Rest Peacefully Melinda  Ruth Dillon. 🌹🌹🌹

A wonderful actress and lady. My sincere condolenses to the family.

Sorry for your loss. I grew up next to the Dillions in Leavenworth Kansas, where I cut their grass when I was a kid and spent a lot of time talking to Ret. Col. Dillon about Melinda and all the great movies she was in 

 Every Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day , my self , my husband and son always watched  A Christmas Story every year. You will be missed , but not forgotten.

Sorry for your loss. She has made this world a better place. We will love a miss her 

Melinda was my mothers godmother for her wedding l, in fact , Melinda gifted my mother a wedding along with Richard.  Melinda molded  our family, molded me along with my parents , we went in on many adventures together.  May you rest in peace to my unofficial grandmother as you would say.  

Melinda was  always with me this was At my quinceañera

Love and prayers for your family. You were always such an incredible actress. You will forever be remembered as one of our favorite moms. Godspeed.

So sorry to hear of your passing!!  I loved you in all you work!!  May you rest in peace!!

So sad to hear of Melissa's passing. These are not my words, but I agree with them: "We like the actors who work forever doing great things and don't get all the ballyhoo. Melinda Dillon was superb in everything and never got much glory. She was glorious."

Thank you Melinda for so many great memories you created through your film and television work. I can still remember my mother taking my sister and I to see ‘A Christmas Story’ in the theater when it first came out. It has since become the holiday movie I look forward to watching every year above all others. My condolences to Melinda’s family, friends and loved ones. 💐 

What a remarkable talent. She perfected the heartbreaking (Prince of Tides) , the heart warming (A Christmas Story), and everything in between. I was fortunate enough to meet Ms Dillon when she came in to the boutique where I was working in Columbia SC when she was there filming “Prince of Tides”. She was kind and lovely. We keep “A Christmas Story” on in the background on Christmas Eve every year and it brings us so much joy. Thank you, Ms Dillon. 

Thank you, Melinda, for sharing your gift with the world. Your work always made my life lighter and brighter.

We were fortunate enough to have been neighbors and purchased her parents home in Leavenworth, KS and as a child born in the 70s of course The Christmas Story is a tradition and thou I never met you I will forever treasure you as a daughter and a mothers !  Wiring in hope her son sees this as we have and will forever have unless you claim - Angie Raymos in LV, KS

Your role as Randy and Ralphie’s mom informed me how to be a mom to my son.  To be forgiving and understanding and supportive no matter what. To this day, we still do “who’s mommy’s little piggy???”  You will be missed. 

My wife Janet and I remember Ms. Dillon in Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolf & several of her other films, she was a gift to Everyone who knew or has seen her work. Just know that she is at the table in the House of our Lord for a feast in her honor for a job well done. God Bless Ya'll.

Tears ran down my cheeks when I saw the passing of Melinda. She was a actress that everyone has loved. She truly was my favorite.  I loved her in A Christmas Story and Encounters of the third kind. You may be gone but you will always live in our hearts. My prayers go out to her family and to everyone she has filmed with. Heaven is shining so bright with the receiving of such a beautiful angel. Fly high with your beautiful wings. The Christmas story will always bring memories of you in our home.😇❤

The pathos you gave in every role I’d seen you in since I was 11 (in the mid-1970s) through my teenage years in the 1980s (A Christmas Story was my first date movie with my first true boyfriend) and well into my adulthood (Magnolia was magnificent), you made me strive to be a better actor. Rest in the Lord, Melinda Dillon❤️

Thank you for my Childhood memories of your work on film.  Rest in Peace!

Sending condolences to the family. Our family will always think of you because The Christmas Story movie is a tradition in our home every year during the holidays. It never gets old! Thank you for a great tradition ❤️

So sorry to hear of her passing. We loved her so much in A Christmas Story. I feel we spent every Christmas 'with' her as it is a tradition that we watch it each year. Rest in peace, Melinda.

I and so many more will remember you for decades.  So many generations will share and watch your talent .   Thank you for letting us all share you and all who worked with you.   To your family and close friends my deepest condolences 💐.   Rest in peace,  you will be remembered for so many more years to come.

Thank you for the memories Melinda. My entire family loved you in A Christmas Story...a classic for the ages. May you be at peace...and may God bless and comfort your family and friends. Our loved ones are never really gone forever...they're just waiting for us to arrive.


I loved her talent and she was everyone’s Mom. Forever in our hearts and forever on the silver screen. Our great grandchildren will still be watching a Christmas Story. 

I had no idea she passed away..I am in shock... She was "Ralphie's mom in A Christmas Story" which I eat h every year..be a angel and fly free! R.i.p. 🕊️💔😭

I was sorry to hear of Melinda's passing. She was a favorite actress of mine to watch and always had such a wonderful way about her. I enjoyed her work. She will be missed.

You brought joy to our family every Christmas ,rest in peace

What a great actress and person. Will be trully missed.
May she rest in peace.

No one could forget you. You were a wonderful soul who touched millions here on Earth.  Rest in peace.

Thank you Melinda for putting smiles on so many faces, you’re truly a wonderful actress and I’m sure a great human all around. I personally never knew Melinda but she read the lines to the classic, A Christmas Story straight from her heart.  To this day, it’s still our tradition to watch it on Christmas Eve.  My heart goes out to Melinda’s Family & Friends.
- Cassie D. 

RIP Melinda Dillon. Thank you for gracing us with your presence onscreen for so many years. I look forward every year to watching you in “A Christmas Story” in a role you captured perfectly as well as the many other roles you played in your career. A truly talented actress. My deepest condolences to her family and all those who knew and loved her. 

Rest in peace Ms. Dillon.Thank you for making my childhood memorable with A Christmas Story.We will sorely miss you.

I am very saddened to hear of the passing of one of my favorite actresses of all time. Melinda always brought a warm and authentic presence to her acting roles and starred in some of my favorite movies of all time. Her presence will always be felt in our home on Christmas Day as we play "A Christmas Story " all morning long and have done so for years.  Melinda gave such an amazing performance in "Close Encounters" back in 1977, a movie I went to the theater to see for seven consecutive days. Melinda, thank you for being such an amazing performer for all of us. You will be greatly missed.

I did not personally know Ms Dillon, I’m just a fan. It’s February 3 and I am just now learning of her passing.  I loved her portrayal of Barry’s Mom in the wonderful Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  Sending love and comfort to all those close to her.  Rest In Peace.

You were the level headed mom that still knew how to have fun for all of us. And you will be sorely missed!

My condolences to her family. Ms. Dillon was an exceptional actress. I enjoyed her work immensely.

Thanks for the wonderful gifts you gave us through your work that will live on for generations to come.  You will be missed. 

I am sorry to hear of the passing of a great actress. Melinda made two of my favorite movies (Christmas Story and Slapshot) such amazing films. Her role in a Christmas Story not only reminds me of my own Mother but also brings so much joy and memories every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Melinda no doubt will live on in the hearts of not just family and friends but also the fans who loved her entertaining work which was extraordinary. Only a talented and warm hearted person could generate such strong memories of Christmases past and bring back good memories of your own mother...Rest in peace Melinda, thank you for what you have done for your fans, and say hi to the Old Man for us all....Thank You.

Melinda will be missed. Loved her in The Christmas Story.    Condolences to her family.

Dear friends and family of Ms Dillon, 
Deepest sympathy for your loss.  Melinda was a very talented actress.  I am just a fan of hers, no one special, but saddened to hear of her passing.  God  bless. 
Mike from Erie Pennsylvania 

My condolences to the family and  friends of Ms Dillon. I’m just a fan from her many roles but she will always hold a special place in my heart as the Mom in “A Christmas Story.”  She was perfect. Now both she and ‘The Old Man’ are gone. Christmas will  be a little more bittersweet now.  Rest in peace. 

RIP MAY YOUR TRIP TO HEAVEN MAY BE A PAINLESS ONE. PLEASE BE SAFE AND ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU WERE LOVED. 

A Christmas Story is the highlight of my family's Christmas season.  She will be missed so much, warmest love to her family.  

I never got to meet Melinda in person, as time just got away from us. But, I did have the honor to talk to her many times and send cards/pictures. I take comfort in knowing that she was welcomed into the gates of heaven by my grandmother (Aunt Louise) and my Dad. Plus, Aunt Norine, Uncle Wilber, Richard, and the rest of the family that preceeded her death. I'm sure it was a glorious celebration of hugs, kisses, and lots of laughs. Oh! Think about all the memories they are sharing.




Richy,
I am absolutely heartbroken and shocked to see the news of your Mom's passing. I just recently found one of many letters that Melinda and my Nanny ( her Aunt Louise) would write to one another and wanted to share with you. They would talk almost every Sunday and would write one another sending pictures and cards.




Prayers for comfort and peace as you mourn your Mom's passing.  She indeed was the world's mom. ♡- your Alabama 2nd cousin


I never got to meet Melinda in person, but I did have the honor to talk to her many times and send cards/pictures.  I take comfort in knowing that she was welcomed into the gates of heaven by my grandmother (Aunt Louise) and my Dad. Plus, Aunt Norine, Uncle Wilber, Richard, and the rest of the family that preceeded her death. I'm sure it was a glorious celebration of hugs, kisses, and lots of laughs. 

Richy, 
I am absolutely heartbroken and shocked to see the news of your Mom's passing.  I just recently found one of many letters that Melinda and my Nanny ( her Aunt Louise) would write to one another and wanted to share with you.  They would talk almost every Sunday and would write one another sending pictures and cards. 

Sad news. Ms. Dillon was a fabulous actor and always a welcome presence in the movies. She was like money in the bank in any role and she was perfection in the all time classic: “A Christmas Story”.

Sympathies to her loved ones and please know she brought so much joy to so many people in her lifetime and now beyond. 

Thank you, Ms. Dillon.

Every year I would watch A Christmas Story and it was the Mom who held everything together.  I send my condolences to the Dillion family 

I will be forever grateful to Melinda Dillon for her magical performance in A Christmas Story. She helped make every Holiday season since my childhood special. May she rest in heaven.

My condolences! Her artistry will continue to live on through her work. She touched my heart every Christmas and will continue to do the same!

You will live on in the hearts of so many RIP 

Why am I sobbing as if I lost my own mother all over again?! 
My sincerest Condolences to Ms. Dillon's family and friends. I remember her in her earlier movies but it was her role in "A Christmas Story" that I'll remember always. 
Love, "A fan,"
Nancy C.

Such a wonderful, warm, welcome and natural presence wherever she appeared. And if you could PICK your mother - you'd want her to be yours. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, F.I.S.T., A CHRISTMAS STORY (of course), SONGWRITER and THE PRINCE OF TIDES are the ones I remember fondly. Thank you Ms. Dillon. Godspeed.

She was great in every role in which I saw her.  Blessings on her family.

Such a beautiful soul!  I enjoyed all of her movies.  My condolences to her family and friends.

I would like to give my condolence  to Melinda Ruth Dillon i loved watching her in the Christ mass story every Christ mass  dinner we will miss here and may she live for ever with God R.I.P

OBITUARY

Melinda Ruth Dillon

October 13, 1939 – January 9, 2023

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