Martha Mills Dixon

Martha (Mills) Dixon, 73, beloved wife for 39 years to the late David Jack Dixon, died Monday, June 4, 2012. Born in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Clarine "Polly" (Billingsly) Mills. She grew up in Washington, DC and Arkansas and then received her BA in economics from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Va. with induction into Phi Beta Kapppa. She had the opportunity to continue her education with a Fulbright Scholarship to the London School of Economics but chose to be a full-time wife and mother to her grateful family. In addition to working within her home, the indefatigable Martha Dixon volunteered her time, energy, intellect, and organizational talents to make a direct difference in people's lives. Her passion for education led her to work with her college alumnae association, the Avon Public Library, and P.E.O. Chapter M. She worked to preserve artistic and historical heritage with the New Britain Museum of American Art, D.A.R., and Colonial Dames. She assisted those in need through the Simsbury United Methodist Church, the Widows Society, and FAVARH. Her enthusiasm and warmth were infectious, and she brought many people into each of the organizations she worked with. Martha saw the very best qualities in each of us. Everyone who met her wanted to live up to her image of them; she made us better people. She leaves a son, David J. Dixon Jr. and his wife Christine of Glastonbury; two daughters, Polly Ann Strovink and her husband Mark of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Susan L. Dixon and her partner, Shelly Hartling of Australia; five grandchildren, Kurt and Jennifer Strovink and Victoria, Danielle, and Alyssa Dixon; a sister, Rebecca "Becky" Yates and her husband, Dick, of Wayne, N.J.; and many caring friends. All are invited to a Memorial Service to celebrate her wonderful life on Saturday, October 6 at 11 a.m. at the Kensett United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution to an organization honoring your connection to Martha.