Marion Dixon

COLONIE – Marion Lucille Plude Dixon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on October 26, 2005. Mrs. Dixon was born July 1, 1919 in Schenectady and was the daughter of the late Edward and Clemency Plude. She was a lifetime resident of the Capital District. Marion was a graduate of St. John the Baptist Elementary School and a member of the class of 1936 at St. Joseph's High School. She graduated from the College of St. Rose in 1940. Mrs. Dixon was a long time substitute teacher for the South Colonie Central School District before joining the full time high school faculty as an English and German teacher. She was the faculty advisor for the German Club and traveled with her students to Germany with her husband. She retired from teaching in 1980. Mrs. Dixon was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Church in Schenectady, where she spent the years from her baptism through raising her family. While a member of Sacred Heart Church, she served on the Altar Rosary Society. Since her retirement in 1980, she has been a communicant of St. Clare's Church in Colonie. She often volunteered in the church office during her early years of retirement. Marion taught the Right of Christian Initiation to adults within St. Clare's community. She was also past president of the Schenectady Chapter of the College of St. Rose Alumni Association, past president of the Roosevelt School P.T.A., a cub scout den mother for Pack 47, a former member of the Knights of Columbus Columbettes and a member of the New York State United Teachers. Upon her retirement, Mrs. Dixon also did a variety of volunteer work, until her declining health, at the Lisha Kill Middle School Library, St. Clare's Church Office and Special Olympics New York, Inc. Marion wed James Francis Dixon at Sacred Heart Church in Schenectady on June 22, 1940. Mr. Dixon passed in 1983. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: James Edward Dixon and his wife, Dina and Richard Charles Dixon and his wife, Mary Beth, all of Rochester, Edward Stephen Dixon and his wife, Eileen of Rotterdam, Mary Alys Prostack and her husband, James of Schenectady and John Joseph Dixon and his wife, Mary of Gouverneur, NY. Mrs. Dixon also had eleven cherished grandchildren; Scott, Edward, Deanne, Kenneth, Shawn, Steve and Michael Dixon, Katherine Dixon Hamblet, Rebecca Rickert Santoli, Elizabeth Dixon and Christopher Dixon. Mrs. Dixon was also blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren; Kassie and Nick, Jacob and Hannah, Brett and Vanessa, Haley, Joe and David, Olivia, Georgia and Grant, and Alyssa. Also surviving is her sister-in-law Sister Stephen Maria Dixon, C.S.J. of Latham; her cousins, Ann Main of Malone and Ann Voss of Snohomish, WA; her nieces and nephews, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, Clare, Bill, Tom and Steven whom she dearly loved. Mrs. Dixon was comforted in her later years by her friends and neighbors, Ronald and Theresa Gilbert, Michael and Barbara Paquette, Arlene Hotaling, Sister Anthony Marie, C.S.J. and her dear friends and former teaching colleagues, David and Barbara Marhafer. Marion was a woman of modern thinking and reasoning. People of all ages were drawn to her because she was a good listener and offered advice when requested. She had great compassion and humanity and taught her children and grandchildren pride and strength of character. She was very proud of all of their accomplishments in life as parents, professionals and community members. Mrs. Dixon's family would like to extend their thanks to William Busino, M.D., the many caregivers and staff at Ellis Hospital, Northwoods Rehab, the Baptist Nursing Facility and Schenectady Hospice at Ellis Hospital during her brief stays before her passing and her caregivers at home, Cory Rickson and Jeanne Fox.
Funeral services will be Saturday morning at 8:15 at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.) then to the Church of St. Clare at 9:00 a.m. where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics New York, Inc., the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to the charity of your choice in memory of Marion L. Dixon.