Marion Ruby Dixon

Marion passed away in Yakima, WA on March 21, 2019 at age 92. She was born October 31, 1926 on a farm near Pleasanton, Nebraska to Fred and Olive Anna (Dusek) Mauler. The nearest neighbors were over a mile away. Marion did not have siblings so she played school with her dolls, spent many hours reading, and loved the farm kittens. Since her home had no electricity, kerosene and gas lanterns were used. She never tired of fried chicken and biscuits, stewed chicken with dumplings, and homemade chicken noodle soup her mother made from the chickens they raised. Strawberry ice cream cones were a special treat on trips to town.

Marion attended a one-room school through 8th grade. She walked 1 ¾ miles each way. In the mid-1930’s dust storms she wore an aviator cap and goggles to keep out the dust. Marion attended Pleasanton High School and graduated from Tulare High School in California where she moved with her family in 1943. She attended Visalia Junior College. After her father’s death in 1946 she moved to Seattle, WA with her mother and worked for several years at Seattle Trust and Savings Bank.

In 1951 Marion married Raymond Dixon in Seattle. She was a loving wife and mother to her three children, a homemaker who cooked delicious meals, was active in church and PTA, enjoyed genealogy, and in 1972 became a ham radio operator, WA7TLL. Marion liked camping, hiking, backpacking, and traveling around the U.S. and world. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Seattle for over 50 years. In 1994 Marion and Ray moved to Bellevue, WA where they were active in the Silver Glen retirement community and Bellevue First U.M.C. In 2017 Marion moved to Yakima to be closer to family.

Marion will be remembered as a kind, patient, and caring person. She is survived by her children Karen Durkee, Janice (Joseph) Bright, and Gary Dixon; grandchildren Matthew (Jenna) and Heather Durkee, Sister Mary Thomas Alison Bright, Melanie (Karl) Haislmaier, Rachel and Mary Grace Bright; and great-grandchildren John, Sadie, and Bergen Durkee, and Joseph Haislmaier. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Raymond; her parents, infant brother, and son-in-law John G. Durkee.

A private family graveside service will be held.

Thank you to Highgate Senior Living for their loving care of Marion. Remembrances to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Mail Stop J5-200, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.