Marilyn Laverne (Brown) Dixon
Born January 27, 1934 in East Liverpool, OhioPassed November 15, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Marilyn Laverne (Brown) Dixon passed away in the early morning of November 15, 2024, after a remarkable life of ninety years. Born in East Liverpool, Ohio to her Mother, Gertrude (Full) Brown and Father, Alonzo Brown, she was the middle child among her younger sister, Norma (Brown) Blakely and older brother, Alonzo Brown (known as Junior). The family lived in Newel, West Virginia until 1942. They then relocated to Chester, West Virginia, where they moved into a lively and memorable home, right underneath the first dip of the Cyclone rollercoaster of the Rocksprings amusement park and directly across from the high school. Marilyn would sometimes recall that she could hear the screams from the rollercoaster from her bed.
Although Marilyn’s childhood was set during the Great Depression, her parents had steady work, and the family lived comfortably. She enjoyed the diversions of the times— radio programs, movies, and Shirley Temple paper dolls. As a lifelong animal lover, she spent lots of time playing with and dressing up her pets. While she would also occasionally torment her younger sister for sport (as older sisters do), Marilyn and Norma were tightknit in adulthood, even while separated by geography, and made the time for a long chat on the phone every Saturday.
Marilyn is survived by her son, John K. Dixon, her granddaughters, Nichole (Snyder) Creque and Joy Dixon, great grandchildren, Francisco Creque and Tegan Dixon, and her sister, Norma (Brown) Blakely. She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Dixon (known as Jack), brother, Junior Brown, son, Steven Dixon and daughter, Linda (Dixon) Snyder.
Marilyn met her husband, Jack at a dance at the rec center that was just a few steps from her house, just like the amusement park and the high school. Jack asked if he could take her home that night, and he didn’t believe her when she said, “Well, I live right there!” and pointed across the street. They were married on December 29, 1953, and had three children, John, Steven and Linda. Jack’s work as a land developer would take the family to Steubenville, Ohio, Pittsburgh, PA, and eventually Melbourne, Florida. When the children were teenagers, the Dixon house in Melbourne was the hangout, and their friends were always welcomed by Marilyn and Jack. They shared their lives together until Jack’s passing in 1994.
Everyone loved Marilyn. She was voted most popular and wittiest in high school, was crowned carnival queen, and was the head cheerleader. Throughout her career as a nurse, her coworkers always looked forward to when Marilyn was working, because they knew they would be laughing even if the shift was terrible. She became lifelong friends with several of these wonderful women and kept in touch with them with through her retirement. The epitome of extroverted, she never hesitated to strike up a conversation with anyone, and she would make a friend anywhere she would go.
Marilyn’s son, Steven, passed in a tragic boating accident very shortly after his newly wed wife, Faith, became pregnant with Marilyn’s second grandchild, Joy. Marilyn and Faith stayed by one another’s side during this time of both devastating loss and the optimism and hope that the new baby would bring, with Marilyn even serving as Faith’s Lamaze coach. Faith would go on to have three more children, Myla, Spencer and Dean, with her partner down the road, John, and Marilyn loved each of them abundantly as grandchildren.
The families remain permanently close and continue to celebrate holidays, birthdays and milestones together. Marilyn and her daughter, Linda, who passed in 2022, were expert party planners and entertainers, and would let no special occasion pass unceremoniously. Marilyn and Linda excelled at making things beautiful, and their parties were no ordinary parties. All of the grandchildren and great grandchildren treasure the memories of Christmas Eve feasts amid a flurry of wrapping paper, elaborately themed birthday parties, and the great Easter egg hunts in the magical back yard at Laila Court. Marilyn also opened her heart and home to step-grand-daughter Michelle and family friends, Shawna and Jeremy, who have all been imprinted with the love and wisdom of this extraordinary woman they all called Gran. She profoundly touched many lives.
Marilyn did not begin her 35-year nursing career until the age of 40– an inspirational and admirable achievement in reinventing oneself in a time when it was still especially difficult for a woman to do so. This was another testament to her innate gusto in life. Nursing school was challenging for Marilyn, but this exceptionally hard worker by nature would not be deterred. As much as she loved to party and have fun, Marilyn always demonstrated an impressive work ethic and can-do attitude. Though many laughs were shared between Marilyn and her nursing “cronies” (as she sometimes referred to them) at work, when it was time to get the job done, she got down to business and stood for no whining from the patients.
The work did not end at the hospital, however. Marilyn took getting the job done seriously in all aspects of her life. Each of the children who lived in or visited Gran’s house have now-amusing memories of some unpleasant afternoons spent raking up pine-needles in the heat, as she recruited everyone to pitch in to maintain the spectacular back yard. No slapdash, sloppy work would be tolerated, either and you’d better not be caught hiding in the air conditioning! These long days of suffering under her command would earn her the nickname, “the White Tornado.”
When one thinks of Marilyn, photography is likely to come to mind. In this hobby, she was immensely talented and prolific. She won several photography contests held at her workplace, Holmes Regional Hospital, and ran a bit of a side business with her daughter, Linda, doing wedding photography for several years. Those lucky enough to have Marilyn in their lives are regaled with volumes of photographic evidence to compliment the beautiful memories made with her.
Marilyn was also known for her green thumb. While her mother had a “victory garden” during the war and grew and canned a bounty of vegetables for the family, Marilyn more preferred flowers and greenery, though she would sometimes dabble in vegetables and herbs. She loved to have plentiful pots of pink petunias in the yard for Easter. Though she naturally slowed down as she approached her 90’s, she maintained a patio garden, keeping dozens of houseplants thriving, through her final days. The fate of this vegetation is now uncertain under her granddaughter’s care.
She was also a snappy dresser and skilled seamstress. There are numerous photos of her as a young woman donning gorgeous party dresses that she sewed herself, and she went on to create garments for her children and grandchildren as well. The handmade Halloween costumes (some prize-winning) are remembered especially fondly. Later, she was known for her bedazzled baseball caps.
No doubt a phenomenal woman for her hard work and talents, it is Marilyn’s heart and her spark that her friends and family will miss the most. She led her life with joy, gratitude and an infectious energy. Her effervescence left an impression on all who knew her. She was generous with her time and resources, not just willing, but enthusiastic and even insistent to help family, friend, acquaintance or stranger. For all of this, along with her turn of phrase, peppered with West Virginia colloquialisms, her mannerisms, her gestures, her zest for life, she is a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable soul. Her impact on this earth will be felt for generations as her grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to practice the kindness she modeled for them always. We love you, Marilyn. We are all thankful for your 90 years.
A celebration of life will be held on January 26, 2025 with details to be announced to family and friends.