Helen W. Dixon

Helen Waskom Dixon,Mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, went to hold hands with her best friend and husband, Charlie on Monday evening, December 6, 2010. Born on the family farm in Vallonia, Helen was the daughter of Emmett and Minnie (Hague) Waskom, and a lifelong Indiana resident. After graduating from Vallonia High School in 1939, Helen attended the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Indianapolis, distinguishing herself as a continuous honor roll student. Nursing would continue to be a lifelong calling for Helen as she did private duty work for several Indianapolis families and helped out in times of need in her own family. One of six children, Helen�s was a might but gentle spirit wrapped in a tiny package. Her small stature and bright blue eyes caught the attention of Charlie Dixon though and they married on May 21, 1944. Charlie preceded Helen in death in December, 2007. The Dixons were the parents of two children, Deborah Baker (Wally) and Jim Dixon (Inez). Always side by side, Helen and Charlie enjoyed taking trips with their kids out West and to Canada, visiting all the National Parks along the way and becoming avid participants in the �road trip� days of the 50�s and 60�s. Helen would later join her buddy Charlie for a post-retirement white water rafting trip down the Colorado River. Traveling would be a continual enjoyment for Helen and Charlie who visited Europe several times, especially enjoying Ireland and Scotland. Helen�s last trip abroad to Israel was remembered as a very special experience. When not at home in Indiana, Helen and Charlie spent winters in their home in Marco Island, Florida and many enjoyable summers at their lovingly restored cabin on McDonald Marsh in Michigan�s Upper Peninsula. What love Helen wasn�t lavishing on Charlie was poured into the lives of her two children, Deborah and Jim and their families. A skilled seamstress, Helen was always making clothes for her daughter, and granddaughters, and the occasional doll or two. The smell of her chocolate chip cookies after school was legendary as was her annual Thanksgiving carrot cake and other holiday goodies. In addition to her children and their spouses, Helen is survived by her brother, Francis Waskom; grandchildren, Scott Baker (Jennifer), Sean Baker, Brian Baker (Cassie), Katie Martin (Tony) and Laurie Hines (Adam). Also surviving are Helen�s great-grandchildren, Maddie and Grace Baker and Tony and Ethan Martin. In addition to her parents and Charlie, Helen was preceded in death by brothers, Bill and Joe Waskom, and sisters, Martha Brewer and Vivian Joy Waskom (infant). A memorial service for Helen will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Purdue University Foundation and dedicated to the School of Nursing.

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Helen W. Dixon

September 14, 1921 - December 6, 2010