Dixie Ruth Hawthorne, age 92, a longtime resident of Wheaton, IL, peacefully passed away April 8, 2020, following a short illness. She was born June 20, 1927 in Haskell, OK to Matthew and Carrie McFadden.

Dixie graduated from high school in Muskogee, OK in 1945 and during that carefree summer, she met 'the man of her dreams'. Dixie went home one summer night and told her family she was going to marry this wonderful man she met, who was from Ohio, in the Army, and 24 Years old!

That wedding between Dixie Ruth McFadden and William Conway Hawthorne took place in Warren, Ohio on August 5, 1946. This beautiful couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1996, and it truly was a Golden marriage, which was celebrated by a renewal of their original wedding vows. Dixie and Bill were given another fifteen years together of a blessed life, with their two beloved daughters, until Bill passed away in 2011.

The years together brought a busy life when Bill left the military and ventured into the business world. This life was made for Dixie, who always wanted to be a mother that was able to stay home and care for her children. Their life also involved multiple moving, including NY, OH, PA, WI, and IL, where Dixie always made 'a house into a home' decorating their daughter's bedrooms before any other room. The kitchen became Dixie's domain, as she taught herself how to boil water, make coffee, and eventually become a gourmet cook, being president of the Gourmet Club wherever they had one. She lovingly placed three meals a day on her proudly set table and she always welcomed friends to her home and dinner. There was no recipe that Dixie wouldn't try, and about 4 years ago, she started giving away her prized cookbooks, but not her Treasury of Great Recipes by Mary and Vincent Price. That delicious book will stay in the family!

In the 1960's Dixie, who was quite stylish, fell in love with the 'Pillbox Hat' that Jacqueline Kennedy always wore. She wanted to wear one, but couldn't figure out how they were made. So she bought many rolls of fabric and worked and reworked that hat, until it was an exact replica. When she proudly wore it to church, she came home with a handful of orders from her friends. Each hat was the same style, but also had a uniqueness to it from Dixie for her friend. They were gorgeous and she soon had a profitable home business.

When Dixie lived in Pittsburgh, there was not a Hot Lunch Program available in grades 1-6, so she started one!! She contracted with a local baker, arranged macaroni and cheese cups, and hot dogs from another broker, and these people helped begin Hot Dog Day with Dixie. When Dixie moved away, the school had incorporated a hot lunch meal 5 days a week! Dixie was always a woman who saw where change was needed and then she made it happen.

When the family moved to Naperville, IL, and Dixie's daughters started going to college and not being home as often, she made the decision to work for a company. She enrolled in Real Estate School, took the boards, and enjoyed everything about it. Her honesty and pride made her a top selling realtor for Baird & Warner in Park Ridge, IL. She especially enjoyed selling to first time buyers, sharing their excitement of owning their first home, and always gifted them with an engraved silver bread tray.

Dixie and Bill joined Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton after moving there to be close to their daughters. They wanted to meet new friends and serve the Lord, as this was to be their last move. It was at the church where Dixie heard about a job opportunity to become the Administrative Assistant to the City Manager of Wheaton, IL., and said "I'm getting that job!" It was everything she enjoyed; being around people, helping others solve problems, being in a new community and challenging herself.

She adored this job, enjoyed all the people and stayed eight years, until there was a shift in the City Manager role. She had been thinking about getting a part time position. Every application resulted in an offer or they would create a role for her. She finally chose a position in the medical industry at Baxter Laboratories, where she worked for 7 years, learning something completely different.

When Dixie and Bill started looking at early retirement, it quite pleased them. They were still healthy enough to travel, either alone or with friends. Dixie worked as a Volunteer at the Wesley Shop ( a very well run thrift shop, which belonged to Gary Methodist Church)and that was a favorite way to spend her day and get some bargains. She also belonged to a Womens' Club named The Dorca Circle, through the Church, but sadly, the older members began to pass away, and the circle has closed. The highlight of this group was when Dixie gave her Selected Cookbook Reviews....with samples.

Dixie belonged to the Women's Department Club of Wheaton for the remainder of her life, serving as President from 2002-2004. She was also the Corresponding Secretary for the club, sending get-well cards to each person on the prayer list, cards that spoke so beautifully to the special person and wishing them renewed health.
Dixie established The Annual Talent Show fundraiser. She took this job very seriously, searching for unknown and well known talent in the area. It was open to everyone of all ages, all types of talent, and some were paid performers who donated their time and talent. She held auditions, had dress rehearsals, and got Middle Schools to donate their stages. When Talent Show night arrived, it was electric. Dixie walked onstage, beautiful in a long gown, and the lights went out, and you could hear the excitement of the performers backstage, as Dixie welcomed everyone in her slight "Okie from Muskogee" accent. It had programs, flowers, and a lot of FUN!!

On a more serious note, Dixie established the Philanthropic Committee of the Woman's Department Club of Wheaton and College Scholarships dedicated to four female scholarships (2 from each high school) to a college of their choice. Each applicant wrote an essay and filled out a lengthy questionnaire, based on financial need, field of study, GPA, and extracurricular activities. The family is hoping this will be a legacy of the WDCW.

In the last two years of club life, Dixie helped to set up 'Operation Safe'. This was to provide multiple places in Wheaton for teens on prom night to do an activity with their friends. Theaters donated a free showing of a current movie, bowling was free for 2 hours, certain restaurants gave a prom discount, in the hope of eliminating dangerous behavior on such a special night.

Dixie was fun to be with, witty, and had a beautiful sense of humor. Dixie lived her life honestly, with patience, fairness, and great pride. Dixie was a person who loved with her whole heart, and she will be greatly missed by her surviving daughters, Connie Northrop (Robert Savarino) of Wheaton, IL, and Patricia Hoffman (Russell Graziano) of Bartlett, IL; two grandsons, Scott (Haven) Northrop, and Matthew (Heather) Wainwright; two great grandchildren, Marissa Northrop, and Dane Wainwright; her sister, Margaret McFadden, and nephew Mark (Donna) McFadden.

Dixie was preceded in death by her loving husband, William (Bill); her beloved granddaughter, Heather Michelle Northrop; her brothers, Ted McFadden; (older) and Gerald McFadden; (younger).

Due to the ongoing world health crisis, private services will be held. Burial will take place at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton. A public memorial service is being planned for the future.