Obituary of Sheila Kathryn DIXON

November 4, 1927 – Regina, Saskatchewan
September 21, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Sheila Dixon passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the age of 92 years. She is survived by her brother Robert Sinton, her sister Judy Hickson; her children, Howard (Toni), Christine (Clive) and Doug (Kelly); her grandchildren, Michael, Bill, Bob (Emily), Shaun (Matina), Ben, Teja, Rachel, Jen and Will; her great-grandchildren, Brinley and Waylon; and many nieces and nephews. 

Sheila was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on November 4, 1927, eldest child of Robert and Kathleen Sinton and big sister to Bob, Judy and Chris. After graduating from high school in 1945, she entered the University of Saskatchewan with the Moose Jaw University Women’s Club scholarship for that year.    Sheila was top of her class in the Household Science faculty and served as Vice-President of the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Representative Council and President of Pente Kai Deka, the only sorority on the campus.

Sheila graduated in 1949 with her Bachelor of Household Science degree and completed her post-graduate dietetics course at the Vancouver General Hospital in 1950.  After working at the Regina General Hospital for one year, Sheila moved to Calgary to begin her duties as head dietician of the newly opened Red Cross Children’s Hospital, at only twenty-three years of age.

During her summers in university, Sheila worked in Lake Louise as a waitress, and it was there that she met Russ Dixon, a law student at the University of Alberta.  After four years of long distance dating, Russ and Sheila were married in Calgary in 1951.  Russ passed away on December 9, 2018, two months after they celebrated their sixty-seventh wedding anniversary. 

Russ and Sheila had a very happy life together.  They provided their children with a wonderful upbringing that included countless ski and camping trips.  Their favourite spot was Maui where they vacationed every winter for thirty-five years.  They had a wonderful group of friends and were active members of the community.  Throughout their time together, Russ was very busy with his legal career and Sheila took care of everything else, providing a lovely home for her family and all done with amazing skill and grace.

Mom, Grandma, Aunt Sheila and Sheila will be missed by all.  She was highly intelligent, extremely witty and incredibly capable.  She couldn’t be matched when it came to word games, crossword puzzles or anything else that required real brain power.  She maintained her sense of humour until the end and never complained about her failing health.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Oak Bay Medical Centre and the caregivers and friends at United Active Living - Fish Creek for their kindness and caring for Mom.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Sheila’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Sheila Dixon, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.