Shirley Joan (Bascom) Dixon Obituary (1936 - 2024)

Born Jun 24, 1936, Shirley Joan (Bascom) Dixon attended Charlevoix High School in Charlevoix, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Shirley Joan (bascom) Dixon.

Graduation Year	Class of 1955
Date of Birth	Jun 24, 1936
Date of Passing	Dec 21, 2024
About	Shirley Dixon Obituary Shirley J. Dixon of Boyne City passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024 at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs. She was born on June 24, 1936 in Moscow, Michigan to Shubael Alonzo and Margaret Bascom. The family later moved to Charlevoix, and Shirley graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1955. On July 7, 1961 she married Don Dixon and they started the family that meant everything in the world to her. After moving around the state for Don’s career in the building trades, they bought a beautiful house on a hill in Boyne City and laid roots for their young family to grow. That house remains home for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Throughout her life, Shirley was known for her love of cooking and baking. She collected cook books and decorated cakes, including wedding cakes, for friends and family. Always a hard worker, she held several jobs in the area, with Johan’s Bakery in Boyne City being her last and most notable employment. While at the bakery, her customers became family, and she met some lifelong friends. Mike and Diane Edwards remained close to Shirley and her family long past Shirley’s retirement up until her passing. Hot coffee, donuts, and good conversation were just some of the things she brought to the community. While at Bay Bluffs, she spearheaded a project of making a community cookbook, sharing recipes with residents and their families. Since she wasn’t able to complete her plan, the kind staff at Bay Bluffs offered to continue the cookbook and dedicate it to her memory. The family that Don and Shirley created was the most important thing in her life. She is survived by daughter Pam (Pat) Kruskie, granddaughter Melissa (Paul) Swadling, and great granddaughters Annabelle and Layla. She is also survived by her daughter Julie Swanson, granddaughter Amanda (Manuel) Cordova and great grandchildren Marissa, Manuel Jr., and Emma; granddaughter Elizabeth (Steven Rawski) Swanson and great granddaughters Lulu and Ainsley; and grandson Spencer Swanson. Her youngest child is son Rick (Paula) Dixon and granddaughter Kari (Paul Scott) Dixon, grandson Joe Dixon, and grandson Jake Dixon. Shirley came from a large family of 18 children and is survived by her siblings Elaine (David) Houseworth, Louise Bascom, Marilyn (Eugene) Allen, Robert (Judy) Bascom, Joyce Buckmaster, Raymond (Gwen) Bascom, Irene (Lionel) McClanaghan, Patricia (Robert) Prater, Sue (John) Prater, Charles (Betty) Bascom, Debra Wagenschutz, Richard Bascom, and J.C. (Mari Jo) Bascom. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Ethel and Benton Gabbard, Virginia Bascom, Lois and Louis Warner, John Bascom, Jon Buckmaster, Michael Bascom, and Edwin Wagenschutz. Her beloved husband Don passed in 2017. A memorial service will be held at the Compass Community Church (formerly known as the United Methodist Church) in Boyne City with Pastor Sarah Hescheles officiating. Visitation starts at 10 am on Saturday December 28 with the service beginning at 11 am. Following the service there will be a luncheon for family and friends at the church. Shirley will be buried with Don in the spring. Those wishing to make a contribution in honor of Shirley can donate to Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs to help fund the cookbook project.