Kathryn Paralee Maxwell DIXON

DIXON, Kathryn Paralee Maxwell leader in many of Tucson's Community and Volunteer Organizations died June 1, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband and longtime Tucson dentist, Dr. Melvin D. Dixon, Sr. and Parents, Mr. Morgan and Kathryn Maxwell; and survived by her two sons, Melvin M. Dixon, DDS, David M. Dixon, MD and Wife Andrea Serrano. Kathryn Maxwell Dixon was born in Ft. Worth, Texas, September 21, 1926 and lived in Topeka, Kansas where her father was Principal of Buchanan School. In January, 1940, the Maxwell's moved to Tucson when her father, Morgan Maxwell, Sr. became Principal of Dunbar School. Her mother, Kathryn McGowan Maxwell, taught in the Marana Public Schools. Kathryn attended Dunbar School and graduated from Tucson High School in 1943. Kathryn received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Arizona in 1947, having also attended Howard Univ. in Washington, D.C. She also did Graduate Work at the University of Southern California. She began Teaching in Oakland, California, September 1947 where she met her husband, Melvin D. Dixon, later marrying him in July, 1951. In 1953, they moved to Washington, D.C. when her husband was accepted in Dental School at Howard University. Kathryn was quite fortunate to be hired by Senator Barry M. Goldwater as a member of his Senatorial Staff which she thoroughly enjoyed. Those were exciting days - Dwight Eisenhower was President and Joseph McCarthy was in the Senate. Upon her husband's graduation from dental school in 1957, the Dixons moved to Tucson where her husband began his dental practice. The Dixons became quite active in the Community and Kathryn was quite involved in Community Service: Past President Southern Arizona Dental Auxiliary Past Treasurer Arizona State Dental Auxiliary Charter Board Member - Arizona Women's Commission - Appointed by Gov. Raul Castro She and her mother, Kathryn Maxwell, founded the Tucson Chapter of the Links, Inc. in 1962 Charter Board Member of the Human Adventure Center (now the Tucson Children's Museum) Charter Board Member La Frontera Mental Health Center Board Member - The Marshall Home for Men Board Member - The DES Appeals Tribunal Associate Member - The West - 1973 KUAT's Public Advisory Board The Tucson Art Center League Delta Sigma Theta Sorority American Association of University Women The National Smart Set - Scottsdale Chapter - Charter Member In the early 1960's Tucson was still quite segregated and Kathryn was a vocal and staunch supporter of equal rights under the law for women and men, regardless of race. She bore many a battle for the betterment of all and effected changes that still resonate today. In 1963, Kathryn participated in the Demonstration at the Pickwick Inn for their refusal to serve Blacks and Hispanics. The Dixon's were the first African-Americans in Tucson to build a home in the Santa Catalina Foothills and Oro Valley. In 1997, the Dixons donated land on S. Highland to the Church of God, enabling the Congregation to build a new Church and Parsonage - approved by the Executive Council of the church of God, Anderson, Ind. Her ashes will be scattered with her husband per her wishes at a later date. Her Family wishes to thank all those wonderful health care professionals at Friendship Village at La Cholla/Solterra and Emblem Hospice. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel, 7 E. University Blvd., Tucson Arizona. In lieu of Flowers, please make Donations to Dunbar Community Center. Care entrusted to FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL. 520-624-8685