Annette "Ann" M. Dildy

Ann Dildy was welcomed into heaven at sunrise on Thursday, June 21, 2018.  There, she was greeted by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her daughter Dani Lea, and her father Delmar Davidson.  Annie was completely devoted to family, showering her love abundantly on her three children – daughter Angela Michelle and sons David Christopher and Joshua Edward – and five grandchildren: Ella, Anzio, Andi, Carter (CJ), and Aubriella Ann.

Born September 14, 1956 – making her one day older than Play-Doh™ – to Delmar and Minnie Lee Davidson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Annie generously shared 42 of her short 61 years with her husband Douglas C. Dildy from Nashville, Arkansas.  Through 26 years of Air Force service, together they enjoyed living in 12 different locations in Europe and the US, finally settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Annie ministering to numerous AF and neighborhood families at each of these locations.

“Annette” means “full of grace” – and Annie was well named.  She never knew a stranger but, instead, got to know everyone she met as quickly as possible.  Shunning social norms and ignoring military protocol, when stationed on an Air Force Base in Florida, Annie befriended the Federal prisoners detailed to groom the lawns of “Colonel’s Row” by providing them with refreshments – even meals – and made sure they “took breaks” to talk with her, thus alleviating the drudgery of their existence.  Several of these men, upon release, came by the Dildy home and, of course, she invited them in – because now she could – for a final, always tearful, “goodbye”.

In Albuquerque, she showed God’s grace in abundance to a homeless man who made what little he had by painting house numbers on street curbs.  Disabled and destitute, Annie’s interest in him soon revealed that he was a fugitive from out of state who could never access his disability or social security benefits for fear of extradition.  Annie correctly saw – and repeatedly told him – that he would be forever trapped in his current condition unless he returned home, turned himself in to the Law, and served his time.  Ann Dildy was one of the few people who could talk a person into going to jail to improve their life – and he did it.

Spirited and inspiring, Annie was the model of Christian womanhood her whole adult life, constantly seeing the best in everyone she met and always wanting only the very best for each.  She was – like her Lord – a person of innumerable second chances, always forgiving, ever hopeful, never hesitating to extend yet another opportunity to succeed to all she loved.  She will be missed by many more than just her family, but none will miss her more than those she loved the most.

Ann Dildy’s “Celebration of Life” will be held in the Albuquerque Garden Center rose garden in an evening service on Saturday, July 14, 2018, beginning at 7:00pm.  She will be interred at the USAF Academy Cemetery with daughter Dani Lea, just as she wished, on her birthday this year, Friday, September 14, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation at www.myeloma.org in honor/memory of Ann Dildy.  Donations may also be made through Annie’s tribute page at http://give.myeloma.org/AnnDildy.