Obituary of Rory Lynn Dixon

Rory Lynn Dixon was born on June 16, 1947 to Jason and Faye Haddock in Lakewood, California. Both her parents were Navy veterans who served during the Second World War. Rory remembered her childhood as an idyllic Southern California one. She grew up and attended schools in Downey. She loved the beach, Disneyland (she later worked there for a number of years and met Walt Disney!) and eating authentic tacos every Friday. Rory began attending a Baptist church in Downey as a teenager and was drawn into the Christian faith through her youth group. Rory attended Downey High School where she met and began dating Lloyd (Irv) Dixon when she was 16. They were together through high school and then they attended Cerritos Junior College. They graduated from Cerritos and were married on August 17, 1968 at their church (where they were both choir members). Irv enlisted in the United States Army and went to Dental School at USC, while Rory worked at the School of Business. Irv completed school and then began his years of active military service. They dreamed of being stationed in Hawaii or Germany but then found themselves at a base in Missouri (often called ‘Camp Lost in the Woods’)! From there Irv was sent to Korea to begin an unaccompanied tour of duty but Rory (who had her own agenda and way of doing things) missed him too much and boarded a plane to join him there. They lived in a small village about an hour off the base and had the only working toilet in town! The great gift from their Korea year was Kim. They went with family friends to pick up a child those friends were adopting and then they saw Kim. They fell in love with her and brought her home about a week later. Kim’s first crib was a suitcase nailed to the wall! From Korea they moved to Maryland where Irv completed his specialty training in periodontics. They moved from there in a VW bug with all their possessions, Aunt Irene and Kim, and drove cross-country. There was a move to Texas and then one to San Francisco. Although Irv was only a major they were put in a colonel’s house in the Presidio. Rory loved living there – watching the ships and being in view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Irv’s final military destination was Fort Lewis. He completed his service and then opened a periodontal practice in Tacoma. Although Rory was a stay-at-home mom she also managed Irv’s office. They lived in Oakbrook and were involved with a golf group at the Country Club. Rory and Irv were thrilled when Dawn was born in December 1979. During these years Rory helped with junior golf, was active with both the Oakbrook Elementary PTA and Charles Wright Academy (where she met her dear friend Marie). A favorite vacation destination was Sun River, where Irv and Rory purchased a home in 1989. Rory’s golf-life was followed by an investment club, a book club and many bridge groups. It was during the mid-80’s Rory and Irv became involved at Christ Lutheran Church. Rory was a money counter, a job she held for many years. She also cooked for many large church events. Her girls were involved in Logos, confirmation and youth group. Church was an important part of who the Dixon family was. Irv’s tragic death in 2001 left a hole in Rory’s life. She moved to her present home on Interlaaken and tried to build a new life. She loved Kim’s husband Jeff, and their children Mason and Ava. Although increasingly house-bound, Rory loved having people around her and hearing the day to day noises of family activities especially those of her grandchildren Mason and Ava coming home from daycare. She was always interested in what others were doing. Rory is remembered for the great parties she threw, including an engagement party for Jeff and Kim and then their wedding reception. There was no half-way with her! Kim and Dawn remember their mom as always being friendly, caring and open-hearted. She taught them the importance of family and was always there when needed. She was very generous in every possible way and wanted to make sure everyone’s needs were met many times before her own. She was the “go to “person if you ever needed help or advice and remained the rock in the family. She could make just about anyone laugh, had many stories, and kept you on your toes. She took an active interest in the lives of her caregivers. She always had time for others and enjoyed laughing with them. For the last few years of her life Rory was in poor health. She died last Saturday from heart-failure at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma. She will be dearly missed! Rory is lovingly survived by: Her daughters Kim Dixon-Scarlett and husband Jeff, and their children Mason and Ava of Lakewood, and Dawn Dixon of Portland, Oregon; Her mom, Faye Haddock of Gig Harbor; Her cousin Buddy Bertrand (who was like a sister) from Houston, Texas; And many other friends.