Marie Dixon Obituary

Marie Harcharufka Dixon, 97, of Blossvale, NY passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2025. Born to John and Susan Harcharufka in Wilkes Barre, PA, on September 14, 1927, Marie treasured more than anything her family, her Catholic faith and watching Syracuse University sports as well as any and all sports her grandchildren and great grandchildren were playing. In her early school years, she attended Villa Sacred Heart, in Danville, PA. She was sent there because doctors felt she was too frail for the city life she shared with her parents and siblings. How ironic she outlived all of her friends and most of her family members. Although she had never been far from home and had taken no more than "commercial" courses (suitable mostly for secretarial positions) in high school, she had different plans for her life and applied and was accepted at Syracuse University, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree. She then continued on to the University of Pennsylvania where she earned a master's in physical therapy. While at Syracuse, she served as President of her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi and in her sophomore year, she met the love of her life, a dashing Phi Delta Theta, decorated pilot and war hero, Thomas Dixon from North Bay, NY. They married in 1957 at St. Andrew's Church in Syracuse, NY. A reception followed at The Lake Meadows Inn (now the Brewster Inn) in Cazenovia, NY.

After college, Marie worked as a Physical Therapist for children for many decades, dedicated largely to children suffering from the impact of polio. While working at Percy Hughes School and the Rome School System, she received the admiration and respect of her colleagues along with many accolades and awards for her dedication and professionalism. She retired at the age of 67.

During the early years of marriage, Marie showed her strength and grit. With her new husband working away from home in Staten Island during the week, and no car or heat (other than a small fireplace) and no washing machine, the winter months for this former city girl were lonely and isolating as she cared for two young children, Kathy and Tommy, at the "Dixon" camp at Edgewater, near North Bay where Tom was born and raised. Despite the challenges, Marie often recounted that their home was filled with love and happiness as she also recalled that being a wife and mother was the greatest joy of her life.

With her children living in Sylvan Beach and attending school in Camden, Marie began a decades long commitment to be involved in her children's lives. This included shuttling Kathy, Tommy and Lisa to their numerous school activities -Marching Band, Little League, YMCA Basketball in Rome, school dances, sports and cheerleading practices, games, sleepovers - nothing was ever "too much". The family home on Vienna Road, where she lived from 1962 until her passing, was always the hang-out for the neighborhood group of friends, Prom after-parties and of course the annual Christmas Night party for friends and family near and far.

Not too long after her retirement, Tom Sr. passed away suddenly at the age of 76. With no one managing Dixon Construction, Marie went back to work as the Office Manager while her son, Tommy, took over the business from his father. She served in this role until she was 95 years old and was an integral part of the success the company has enjoyed in recent years.

She was a dedicated volunteer for over 50 years at her beloved St. John's (North Bay) and St. Mary's (Verona Beach) Catholic Churches. She served as a reader, communicant, religious education teacher and member of the Christian Women's Association, where she was often in charge of many aspects of planning the annual Christmas Dinner, which was one of her favorite events of the year. For almost 20 years, beginning in 2006, Marie, along with Tommy, began and managed the First Friday 24-hour Eucharistic adoration at St. John's in North Bay each month until the age of 95. She met some of her favorite people and closest friends, signing up 24 volunteers each month. In 2013, she received the Immaculata Award for Service by the Diocese of Syracuse for extraordinary volunteer service in parish ministry.

Marie regularly expressed her gratitude for God's many blessings and she spent the bulk of her life "paying it forward". Whether she was delivering meals to the ill and home bound, driving friends to doctor's appointments or calling friends to cheer them up, she always tried her best to improve the communities she lived, loved and worked in by giving selflessly.

Marie's friends, family and acquaintances always commented on her sense of style and taste and her children attest that even well into her 90's, up until her final days, she would carefully choose her outfit, shoes, bag and jewelry before heading out the door. She was a gifted gardener and flower arranger, as well as an excellent cook and baker. To this day, her prime rib, strawberry shortcake, apple pie and Christmas cookies are still remembered by her family as legendary. She was an avid sports fan and could hardly wait for "tonight's" game irregardless of the sport. She especially loved watching SU basketball and whatever NFL team her grandson, Riley, was playing on. For her 90th birthday gift, her children flew her to Denver to see Riley play in a Bronco's game. It became one of her most favorite memories.

Marie is survived by her daughters Kathy (Paul) Leone, Palm Beach, FL and Lisa Schryver, Barrington, RI; and her son, Tommy (Tara) Dixon, Sylvan Beach; nine grandchildren, Ben (Agnes Pompeii), Griffin (Logan), Jake and Nick Leone, Sarah and Matthew Schryver, Kendall (Dan Fountain), Riley (Allison), and Brecklyn Dixon; and 3 great grandchildren; Sophie Dixon, Weston Fountain and Lainey Grace Dixon; her sisters, Susan Elias of Wilkes Barre, PA and Glorianne Bohinski of Shaker Heights, OH along with many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Susan and John Harcharufka along with a brother Johnny, two sisters and four brothers- in-law, Rita (Jack) Mergo, Bernardine (Kenn) Riordan, Robert Bohinkski and Jack Elias.

The family wants to recognize and thank several beloved friends in Marie's life: Kim Coon, who regularly dropped off meals, always accompanied by her legendary brownies, Tommy Condon, her right hand man, who took care of her house and property for over 40 years, JoAnne Hewitt, Brenda Tuttle who kept mom company for so many evenings after she broke her hip, Dr. Jim Vanderhoof and Marie's 3 devoted caregivers during the last year of her life -Amanda, Makayla and Tina. Due to their love and compassion, Marie was able to stay in her home to live out her last days.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lake Church, Verona, Beach, in the summer so the family can share memories with our friends and families. Interment will take place in St. John's Cemetery, North Bay. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Marie's memory to Spirit of Hope Parish, 121 St. Joseph's Place, Oneida, NY, 13421 or Hospice & Palliative Care, 4227 Middle Settlement Rd. New Hartford, NY. 13413 or Nascentia Health Charitable Foundation 1050 West Genesee St. Syracuse, NY 13204. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ironside Funeral Home, Inc, 342 Main St., Oneida. You may view the obituary and send the family a message of sympathy at www.ironsidefuneralhome.com.