Marilyn Knowles Dixon, 87, of LaFayette, passed away Monday, December 28 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Born July 3, 1933 in Elizabeth, NJ to P. Russell and Julia Lore Knowles, she was the youngest of three daughters. She was known best by her nickname “Little Bug” from an early age. She moved to Fayetteville, NY in 1937 when her father relocated with Carrier Corporation. Over the past ten years as she struggled with Alzheimer’s, she would continue to introduce herself as “Auntie Bug.”  Marilyn graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1951 and went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from Cortland Teacher College in 1955. One week after her graduation she married the love of her life, Edward G. Dixon. She taught physical education at Moses Dewitt Elementary School for six years before starting her family. She obtained her Masters in Physical Education from Cortland in 1974. Marilyn never returned to teaching full time, but would tell anyone and everyone that she was a Phys Ed teacher. She especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s athletic events. She did return to work in the early 80’s at Upstate Medical Center in the Pharmacology & Physiology Department as a lab technician until her retirement. Marilyn was a communicant of Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church. As a granddaughter of a Methodist Minister, music was central in her life. She played the Accordion and Organ, and sang her beloved hymns regularly, even in her last days. She loved the great outdoors and was happiest on her walks in her woods with family and grandchildren where she would teach them about trees, birds, animals and nature. She was a long-time member of the New York Forest Owners Association.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Edward G., sisters Barbara Wolverton and Judy Martin.

She is survived by a son, Douglas (Caroline) of Onondaga Hill; daughter, Amy (Keith Comfort) of Cazenovia; grandchildren, Micaela, Aubree and Lore Dixon, Rachel and Logan Comfort; brother-in-law, Carl Sterling; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 2nd at Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Rd., DeWitt. 

Per Marilyn’s wishes she will be reunited with her husband Ed at “the four corners in the Big Woods.”

Contributions may be made to the Marilyn K. Dixon Environmental Scholarship Fund, c/o Eaton-Tubbs  Fayetteville Chapel,  7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY  13066