Obituary of Jean Elizabeth Dixon

Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, formerly of Hampton, New Brunswick

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, nana, great nana, sister, aunt, and friend, Jean Elizabeth Dixon, 82, who left us peacefully on September 16th, 2024 at Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

Born to her parents, the late Guy and Gertrude(Pollock) Patterson on January 15, 1942, in Sussex, New Brunswick, she leaves behind to mourn her beloved daughter and son- in law, Joyce & Kurt Newell, son and daughter-in-law, Charles & Judy Dixon. Adored grandchildren, Darrell (Victoria) Dixon, Keisha (Ian) Campbell, Shane (Katie) Dixon, Katrina (Brandon) Nickerson, Krysten (Adam) Smith and Justyn (Federica) Newell. Treasured great-grandchildren, Dylan & Quinn Dixon, Layne & Leah Campbell, Gunnar & Bryce Dixon, Mitchell & Myles Nickerson and Jackson & Abigail Smith.

She also leaves behind her loving brothers Charlie (Edna) Pollock, Roy Patterson, sister-in-law, Ruth Patterson, nieces Lisa, Angie, Shaunie, Missy and nephew Stephen, along with their families and her many friends.

Jean was predeceased by the love of her life, husband, Leslie Dixon, son, Darrell Dixon, great-granddaughter, Olivia Dixon, brother, Walter Patterson, nephew, Andrew Patterson, sister-in-law, Charlene Patterson and special friend, Jake Brown.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Roseway Hospital and nursing staff of 2B Yarmouth Regional Hospital for the care they provided to Jean and the compassion shown to her and the family as we were saying good-bye.

Raised in rural New Brunswick, Jean grew up with her 3 brothers. When she was a teenager, she moved to Ontario for work and through her brother, Charlie, met a young man from Wood’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, Leslie Dixon. Jean and Les were soon married and with that followed their three beloved children. Les was in the military, and Jean was happy to join him in this commitment. The Dixon family were posted in various places during Les’s service and Jean made great and sure friends everywhere they went. She spent that time home-making and eventually working various jobs on the base. After Les’ retirement from the military, life took them back to Wood’s Harbour where together they ran a gas station until they made the decision to relocate to Jean’s native New Brunswick in the town of Hampton. It was there Jean became heavily involved in her community through her volunteer work as well as with The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28, Hampton N.B.. Jean loved the work that she did with the legion, even serving 2 terms as the branch president. Jean had been awarded various medals and awards over the years for her dedication and service to her community and she was very proud of her accomplishments.

Jean had a very special bond with her grandchildren and even her great-grandchildren. They were the joy of her life and she loved the time she got to spend with them when they came to visit her in New Brunswick and in her later years when she returned to Nova Scotia. They have countless funny and special stories about their grandmother. She was a fun Nana.

Jean loved to bake and cook in her younger years. Although, for years she passed off Pillsbury cookies as her own until her family found her stash of dough chilling in the freezer. She loved HGTV, playing board games (cheating at Yahtzee), spending time with her family, puzzles, gem painting and spoiling her granddog, Zoey in her later years

To know Jean was to love her. She was dry, funny as all get out and a sharp shooter (if you wanted her honest opinion, she was going to give it). She loved to sing, though she couldn’t and loved to cut a rug. Jean loved life and she loved her family and friends even more. She was such a fun mom and nana, the highlight of most every special occasion, enjoying her time with everyone in the room. Jean was truly a well-loved and liked person. She never met a soul she didn’t get a smile out of with her quirky sense of humour and her cackle of a laugh. Even the friends of her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews have their memories of “Nana Jean” or “Aunt Jean”, a little something of a legend amongst family, which speaks to how much we loved her. Jean was so appreciated, adored, tormented, mocked and aggravated by her family, which she loved every minute of. She painted our lives with such joy and laughter and she will be forever and deeply missed by all of us.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Yarmouth Regional Hospital Foundation, Roseway Hospital Foundation and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28, Hampton, NB

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements will be held at Reid’s Funeral Home, Hampton, NB on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 with a Legion tribute at 2:30pm. Jean's Celebration of life will begin at 3:00 pm followed by a reception and a time to visit with the family.  A private burial will take place at Hampton Rural Cemetery, it has been requested that only family attend.