Doris Hunter Wixon

1917 - 2017

Doris Hunter Wixon, age 100, died on August 6 at Granite Farms Estates in Media, where she has resided since 1987. She was born to Neil Roy and Grace (Collins) Hunter on April 13, 1917 in Marlette, Michigan. Graduating high school at the height of the Great Depression, she attended Wayne University in Detroit and worked part time grading papers in the Accounting Department to pay her way. It was here that she met a young instructor, Rufus Wixon. Doris continued her education, receiving an MBA at Northwestern University, with Rufus making frequent trips to Chicago to visit her. They were married in 1939. In 1941 they moved to Ann Arbor, where her husband began working on a doctorate at the University of Michigan. In 1949, Dr. Wixon was offered a full professorship in accounting at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the family, now including three young daughters, moved to Wallingford. In 1955, the five Wixons went to Karachi, Pakistan for two years, where Rufus served as Professor of Accounting in the newly formed School of Business at the University of Karachi, in a country equally newly formed. This was a life-changing experience as it stimulated a love of travel that continued to be a passion for the rest of their lives. Together they traveled all over the world. They shared a deep interest in genealogy and spent time traveling in Ireland, England, Canada, and in the United States, tracing their families. Doris was a life-long learner and attended six colleges and universities, earning the equivalent of a second master’s degree in French and certification to teach. She was an avid bridge player and was a member of the Springhaven Club team in the Philadelphia Women’s Bridge League for 36 years. When the Wixons moved to Granite Farms Estates, she started a duplicate bridge group and taught bridge classes there. Although her family was always Doris’ primary focus, she devoted much of her time to volunteer activities. For many years, she matched foreign students at Philadelphia’s International House with area families. She was a Girl Scout leader and served in various offices in the PTA when her daughters were in school. One of her special interests was libraries. She volunteered for 32 years at the Helen Kate Furness Library in Wallingford, also serving on its board. At Granite Farms Estates she helped select books for the library and reviewed them for the newsletter. She was president of the Residents Association, Assistant Editor of the “Granite Times” newsletter, and a member of many other committees. Although she was a woman of many talents and accomplishments, her family always came first. She was best friend and supportive partner to her husband, and always encouraged and supported her daughters in their many activities and educational pursuits. Her loving interest and concern continued for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was known for the personal birthday cards she designed and made on her computer and sent to each member of the family, well into her 90’s. This April, Doris was joined by her entire family to celebrate her 100th birthday. Wonderful memories were shared and made by four generations. Mrs. Wixon was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 57 years, Rufus Wixon, and her sister Jeanne LaLonde. She is survived by her three daughters: Marjorie Baker (John), Joanne Lutostansky (David), and Kathryn Cobbs (Jack); five grandchildren: Barbara Marcille, Kimberly Harless, Mark Lutostansky, Karen Wilkinson, and Kathryn Hall; ten great grandchildren; and her nephew Gary LaLonde. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on September 16 in the auditorium of Granite Farms Estates, 1343 W. Baltimore Pike, Media. Memorial gifts may be made to the University of Pennsylvania Named Scholarship Program, 2929 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5099. Please mention “Rufus Wixon Scholarship” in the memo line.