Just a note to the family to say how much I enjoyed working with Dixie at Hospice of Lancaster County.  Dixie always had a way of making people smile and she and I shared opposite cubicles.  Every now and then something would be tossed over from her cubbie to mine just to make me smile!  For the short time I was there, I enjoyed her passion for "Groundhog Day" and shared with her that I never knew anyone who celebrated this day.  I truly enjoyed that day with her!

She was a very special lady to me. 
Michele DeRosa

I was so sad to hear of the passing of Dixie. She was an inspiration and a very special lady. My deepest sympathy to Dixie’s family, friends, and everyone whose path she crossed.
Heaven has a new angel. Love you Dixie.

Beryl Lewis

I worked with Dixie at Preferred Health Care. She was an absolute sweetheart and a joy to work with. i was so sad to see her leave PHC, but I know the staff at Hospice must have been so glad to have them join them. I saw her a couple times after she left PHC and I know she loved living at Moravian Manor. She was such a good worker and always a straight shooter.

She loved her family and just adored her grandchildren. I remember her bringing them to work occasionally and she always found something for them to do so that they felt very important.

I am truly sorry for your loss, but I believe the heavens have gained an angel.

Cheryl Lichty

On behalf of Warwick High School’s Advanced Seminar course and our Socrates Cafe group, I am sincerely sorry to hear of Dixie’s passing. She was such a wonderful group leader for our intergenerational discussion. She was obviously a life-long learner who positively influenced everyone whose lives she touched. We are all better people from having known Dixie.

Carolyn Hoy
Warwick HS Teacher

Sandy & Roger Lord, rgkord1@juno.com

We are saddened by the lose of Dixie as We know her whole family feels that great lose as well. The town of Litiz, even the whole state of Penns. will miss her so. Knowing her for years, we know her wishes would be to carry on, making are lives as full as we can make them and to help others in that quest. Farewell beloved Dixie.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dixie. I am an RN and when I was let go from St Joeph Hospital, she hired me at HealthGuard and taught me about the insurance business. I have since worked 17 years in that industry. She was always smiling. The thing I remember most was her "groundhog" with "her" clothes and jewelry —  and of course her Groundhog Song! I regret that I am unable to attend her service. Please know that my prayers and thoughts will be with you. This world was a happier place because of Dixie!

Kathleen A Magbag

"Sandy" and Dixie knew each other all their lives. She became my friend when my family moved to Tyrone when we were all in eighth grade. Her parents, Bernice and Fitz, were very special to me.  When my family moved to Upper Darby in the middle of our senior year of high school, the Fitzpatricks welcomed me as a member of their family for five months. During that time Dixie and I lived as sisters, sharing a room and our lives.  We seldom saw each other as adults until recent years when we visited in Lancaster and would get together for a meal.  She also visited with us in Paducah, KY, a few years ago.  She never changed.  She was still the same humorous, caring, loving gal we had known for years and years. My favorite Dixie story is that she said once that she cleaned her oven when it got to the point where she had to bake cookies one at a time.  That has brought many laughs from many people.

To Peggy and Amy and all the grandchildren she so dearly loved we extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy in the loss of such a wonderful mother, grandmother, mentor, and friend.  We share in your sadness.

Jean and "Sandy" Meredith
Paducah, KY

Dixie has been my best friend since we were both in third grade at Adams Elementary in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.  Dixie was Dixie Lee Fitzpatrick then, daughter of Bernice and John Fitzpatrick.  Her father had a tailor shop for years in Tyrone, and then became Tyrone Water Commissioner.  Her mother worked in the Adams Elementary School cafeteria. 

Dixie and I sure had good times in school and out of it.  She will be dearly missed.

Barbara (Wasson) Garver

Just a note to all her family to tell you how sad it was to hear of Dixie’s passing. She was a great person to work for at HealthGuard. Putting you in your place one minute if there was reason and having fun the next. A lot of laughter made the job easier. Her smile says in the obituary says it all. Many was the occasion when Dixie would find a way to celebrate the little things in life by dressing "Gwendolyn" up for a holiday. And all holidays required food of all kinds to be brought in; none more famous than Gwendolyn’s very special "Ground Hog" loaf aka ham loaf. She had a big heart.

Carol Diehl

My life  was greatly enriched by knowing and working with Dixie. I will miss her warm, funny, generous and loving spirit. She was an amazing woman in so many ways and I will miss her. It was a privilege to have her as a friend. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jane Miller

Please accept my deepest sympathy in your recent time of sorrow. 
I met Dixie last summer at a very special birthday celebration.  I happened to sit next to her and just thoroughly enjoyed her company.  It was evident she was a jovial, caring individual.   We discussed children/grandchildren and she just emitted a glow when discussing them.  Once again, my sympathy.
Most Sincerely,
Ann G. Rilatt

All my love and deepest sympathies to you all.  Dixie was an incredibly special individual and one of my favorite people on this planet.  She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

Laura Douglas

I know how much all of you will miss your Mom/Grandma; she was one of a kind – fun, generous, practical, involved, and someone who absolutely LOVED her family!  We often shared our respective family events and news.  I feel like I know all of you.
She was also a great nurse.  Working with her was a privilege as well as lots of fun. 
She was like a sister to me and I will miss her terribly.  We all know she is in a better place but that still doesn’t ease the sting of missing her. 
Keep all of those wonderful memories alive.  My prayers are with all of you now.

Judi & Bob Cosgriff

Peggy, I am so saddened to hear about Dixie. She was a beautiful, caring person who will be sadly missed.  We cannot come to the Memorial service on Friday because of medical reasons. I am having issues that cannot be put off. Please call me when you get a chance and maybe we could go to lunch. I would like to get to see you. Our sincere sympathies to you and your family and I am so sorry we cannot make it on Friday, but you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Rose and Randy

My mentor for 20 years, my friend for the same.  The world has lost an amazing person that not even words can describe.  My heart is with all of the family – each and every one of the grandchildren who were Dixie’s life.  Dixie was one of the few individuals I would listen to, who I respected and who was not afraid to put me in my place and steer me the right way.  I owe so much to her.  My heart and prayers are with you – we have all lost so much. 

Andrea Russo

I am devastated by the news I just received from a childhood friend who read the obituary in the Altoona Mirror.  We all grew up together in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, sharing all the things you share with the people you are with all day practically every day.   Dixie and I were Girl Scouts together as well, and we bacme counselors  together at Camp Barree, helping other girls grow up while we were still trying to figure things out ourselves.  As we all know, Dixie figured things out beautifully, never losing her fabulous sense of himor while giving so much of herself to others. 

In recent years,  I have come to Lititz on business occasionally and  been lucky enough to see Dixie.  She was a joyful light.

Susannah Newlin Archinal