Dixie Ann Eaton

Dixie Ann Eaton (nee Tobin) of Mason, MI, age 88, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, February 26, 2022.

Dixie was born in Muskegon, MI on June 21, 1933 to Charles and Marian [Burmeister] Tobin, and was the eldest of six children. Growing up next to Lake Michigan sparked a life-long love of sea and sand. One of her favorite places was Anna Maria Island, Florida. For 40 years, she spent most of April there, reading books on the beach, walking at the water’s edge, finding amazing sea shells and sand dollars, shopping (one of her hobbies) and partaking of fresh seafood at various local eateries.

Dixie loved to travel. Once on a trip to Europe, she was asked for her autograph after having been mistaken for the actress Angela Lansbury. (Angela could have been her twin!) One special memory of a trip to New York City included meeting the actor Bill Murray at Sardi’s. When she told him where she lived, he said, “Ah! Michigan State University! I probably threw beer cans on your lawn!” Dixie received both her bachelor and master degrees from MSU (as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society), then went on to work as an Operations Manager in Vocational Rehabilitation at the State of Michigan’s Department of Education.

Dixie also enjoyed photography, the flowers in her yard, decorating for every holiday, and cooking lavish, incredibly delicious feasts for family. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Curtis Eaton; siblings, Katherine (Bruce) Hall, Margaret (Arthur) Sprague, Janet (Henri) Richards, and John. Survived by her is one brother, Charles (Betty) Tobin Jr.; former spouse, Donald Dombrausky; daughters, Debra Brown, Donna (Jerry) O’Shesky, and Joy (Kevin) Horne; and step-children, Timothy (Priscilla) Eaton, Keith (Sarah) Eaton and Brooke Nugent. Also survived by her are five grandchildren, Katie, Kristin, Austin, Aidan and Allison; six step-grandchildren, Matthew, Cara, Lauren, Valerie, Michael and Erin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12 pm on Friday March 4, 2022, at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, 621 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI. Visitation will take place on Thursday from 6-8 pm and one hour prior to the funeral service. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grbdmason.com for the Eaton family.