Amanda Jo Dillon (Mandi), 32 years old, of Kansas City, MO, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 23, 2020.  A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, MO.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the family c/o the funeral home.

Amanda was born October 14, 1987 in Clinton, Missouri, a daughter of Kenneth Dillon and Nancy (Smith) O'Connell.  She spent her childhood living in Warsaw, Missouri until the age of 13 years old when she moved to the Harrisonville/Kansas City area for the rest of her life.

Mandi was a bright light of energy, a force to be reckoned with, and yet, goofy at her core.  From day one, she instantly bonded with her brother, Mathew Dillon.  They weren't your typical brother and sister.  They shared a very special connection and anywhere Mandi was, Matt was close behind.  They were always each other's comic relief, confidante, protector, and very best friends.  Mandi's number one love was family, always.  Family was the center of Mandi's life.  This grew even stronger when she became a mom.  That changed her life.  That's the role she loved the most.  You could easily find Mandi doting on her babies on social media.  She loved her babies fiercely.  She loved making people laugh and you can believe one of her favorite ways was making silly faces.  She was always ready to give love and friendship to anyone that needed it.  Mandi didn't know a stranger.  She made sure anyone and everyone felt comfortable.  She loved R&B music and you better believe that if a song came on she liked, she was turning that volume up as high as it could be and singing and dancing to it would be next to follow.  Mandi loved the color hot pink.  LOVED.  It didn't matter what it was, if it was hot pink, she wanted it and she wore it well.  The only thing in life Mandi ever wanted was to love and be loved.  She had a huge heart, loud laugh, and a smile that could light a room.

Mandi was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Dillon; her maternal grandma, Nina Smith; her maternal grandpa, Bobby (Bob) Smith; and paternal grandpa, LeRoy Dillon.  She is survived by her children: Alan James Buren, Robert Leroy Peterson and Graycie Lynn Peterson; her mother, Nancy (Marie Hochhalter) O'Connell; her brother and very best friend, Mathew Dillon; her brothers: Mason Hochhalter and Matt Hochhalter; her sister, Hannah Jane; 5 aunts and 2 uncles on her mom's side: Debbie McVay, Kathy VanNatta, Dolores Reimund, Teresa Thurman, Susan Templeton, Robbie Smith, Jon Smith; her 'other mother', Tara Richardson; her paternal grandma, Sharon Dillon; her stepmom, Darla Dillon; many cousins; Aunt Nadine Soles; Uncle Kyle Dillon; and many, many friends.