Mrs. Agnes Nettie, Annie Antoinette (Ann/Nettie) Agnes Antoinette Towler Dixon

AGED 88 - FEBRUARY 05, 1921 - NOVEMBER 07, 2009

Mom was born in Calgary, Alberta to loving parents Agnes & Fred Towler who had come to enjoy a new life in Canada from Scotland and England. She was the second eldest of four sisters, Marguerite, Patricia, and Doreen. In the late 1920's they decided to pull up roots and settled permanently in Vancouver and the surrounding area. She was taught by her devoted parents the values in life that are all important – to be caring, giving, & understanding to anyone in need whether it be family, friends or strangers. These were our Mother's strong moral values that she lived by and taught us all during her life. Above all, family was the foundation of her life and these values she instilled in all of us. We have always been a very close and caring family (Thank you Mom!).

Mom grew up in South Vancouver with her siblings, where she attended Sexsmith School and met many good friends, as well as her closest friend for life, Beatrice. After finishing school Mom started the beginning of a life long working career. Being artistic came easily to Mom and was one of her passions; she loved to sketch. Some of her many attributes to the world was as a milner where she created and designed beautiful hats for the ladies. She later went into cake decorating making further use of her many talents. Mom did all our wedding cakes, hats, veils, including for many family members and friends. During the war years Mom worked in the North Vancouver Shipyards hanging down the side of ships wrapping pipe with insulation to prevent freezing. Mom's many talents took her to the B & K Stores where she perfected the art of being a meat cutter along with running a rooming house. There was nothing she wasn't afraid to take on. Finally she settled on becoming an Entrepreneur with her loving husband Doug. Together they ran their own business where she took care of the financial end of things up to her last days. As many people have said, "They don't make them like they use to." Their generation was a strong and tough lot and we all have the greatest respect for Mom and Dad's many accomplishments.

When Mom met Dad, they fell in love and began building a life together, first in Richmond BC and later moved to the Fraser Valley where they have spent the rest of their days. They lovingly raised four children through the good times and sometimes the tough times - but always making the tough times good. In 1963 the first of the grandchildren arrived followed by 8 more, which all have been the joy of their lives. The grandchildren have always loved visiting Granny & Grandad. There are so many special times they spent together, decorating cookies, building snowmen, sleepovers, playing dress-up in Granny’s clothes, picking berries for Granny’s famous pies¸ tobogganing down the hill, riding with Grandad on Big Blue [ ATV ], the tractor and motor bike riding on the local side roads and of course backyard picnics and swimming in the pool. Little did Mom know that the years would go by so quickly. In 2002 was the start of 7 great-grandchildren, who also love and will miss G.G. greatly.

Our fondest memories of childhood with Mom are when Mom and Dad took us on our many excursions:

Camping

- setting up tents at 11pm in torrential rain storms.

- trains passing by in the middle of the night 10' away.

- “just around the next corner & over the bridge”.

- the bear scare that was Dad!

- great food! great times! JUST GREAT!

And as time continued in our lives there was:

The Cabin

- winter wonderland Christmas.

- skiing, ski-dooing, tobogganing, ice skating.

- summer adventures!

- fishing, canoeing, swimming, hiking, games.

- catching grasshoppers.

- cooking for hundreds!

- DAYS WE'LL MISS FOREVER!

Family Home & Pool

- what can we say, there were so many great times with family and friends. birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, everyone home for Christmas morning - wow was that special!

- Mom took in many strays needing a place of refuge, family friends, dogs, cats, hedgehogs, a pig, a peacock, a ferret, a frog in her bed, not to mention the cows Dad brought home for a very short stay! Our home was like Motel 6.

Mom was a very special and beautiful person, not only a great mother but a friend, confidant, and mentor. WE WILL MISS YOU MOM!

My dear wife, Mom, Granny, G.G.,

We were so lucky to have had your love, friendship, care, guidance and understanding all these years, and yet they have gone all too quickly. You have been an inspiration to us all and we will miss your beautiful face, your smiles, the laughter and your tender kisses. May God keep you in his tender embrace till we meet again.

Your loving Husband, Doug, sons & daughters, Nancy (Jim), Paddy, Bill (Cheryl), Doug (Lucy), Grandchildren, Bill, Jim (Cathy), Shannon (Kevin), Drew (Rhonda), Jennifer (Dan), Jordan, Kelly, Wesley, Katie. Great-grandchildren, Arwyn, Georgia, Cole, Delaney, Ross, Ryder, Cindy and Tamryn.