Mona Pillsbury of Danville died surrounded by friends on Tuesday evening, April 3, 2012 at the age of 79. She was born April 14, 1932 in St. Johnsbury, one of seven children born to Charles and Gladys (Bryer) Pillsbury. After graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1950, Mona enlisted in the Women's Army Corps, engaging in radio work at U. S. Army bases in Georgia; Sundi, Japan; and California until her honorary discharge. Mona settled in Mar Vista, Calif. and began her long career in the aerospace industry as a technical illustrator for Douglas Aircraft and Litton Industries. Her graphic skill was acknowledged by her peers to be superb. In the formative days of computer design, Mona led teams of illustrators who worked on wiring diagrams that were 20 to 30 feet long. Mona returned to Vermont in the mid 1980s to build a new life in Danville. She shared her home with her faithful border collie companions, first Princess and later Fabi, named for her friend Sister Fabiola. She loved her dogs, and more than once, she stated that she would be a dog in her next life. Nonetheless, Mona was a very religious Protestant and an active member of the Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury. Mona continued her work in graphics, drawing proposed ski resorts for a company in Thetford. Later, she joined the administrative staff of Springfield College until her retirement. Through Springfield College, Mona and other classmates spent many springs working with orphans under the guidance of Sister Fabiola of the Benedictine Sisters at Missioneras Guadalupanas de Cristo Rey, O.S.B. in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. These trips and their lessons of compassion left deep impressions on Mona. More locally, Mona had been a committed volunteer at the Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen located in St. Johnsbury. Mona is survived by her brother, Richard Pillsbury and his wife Gisela of Kimberling City, Mo.; her sister Gladys Spencer of Milford, N.J., and her sister Lorraine Wilder of Worcester, Vt.; cousins, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Charles Pillsbury, and two sisters, Maybelle Barnett and Charlotte Smith. Visiting hours will be held in St. Johnsbury on Tuesday, April 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Sayles Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury on Wednesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions could be directed to Grace United Methodist Church, 36 Central St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to The Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen, 178 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.