Of Camano Island, formerly of Seattle, died unexpectedly November 2, at the age of 65.
Born to Olga and Richard Davis in 1942, Dixie was raised in Zenith, WA. She began her education at the University of Washington where she joined Delta Delta Delta sorority. After earning her BA and MA from Washington State University in Speech Communication, she taught at Boston College and Shoreline, Green River, and Seattle Central community colleges.
Dixie lovingly raised two sons, David and Dylan Canfield; and she was eagerly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild this December.
Dixie was an early leader in the organizational development community in Seattle and was a founding member of the Northwest Organizational Development Network. After working with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and The Park Hilton and Seattle Hilton Hotels, she launched her own training and organizational development company, Johansen Consulting, in 1982. Her clients included the U.S Government, counties, cities, boards, and advisory groups as well as private organizations. She was a faculty member for the UW Training Specialist Program and the Federal Executive Institute and Federal Consulting Group. Particularly known for her customized training in organizational change and conflict, Dixie was frequently called upon for providing clarity and objectivity among teams, individuals, and the public sector. She was a pioneer in developing curriculum for workforce training in handling domestic violence and spoke nationally and internationally on the subject.
In addition to her work with Johansen Consulting, Dixie worked with Oddvar Ogland, in his Ballard Volvo shop, as office, financial, and service manager.
Dixie loved people, and her friends ranged from her childhood years all the way through to new friends on Camano Island. She was just settling into life on the beautiful waterfront of Camano Island while making plans for a new house, a garden, and photography archive projects, all the while enjoying her two dogs, Duchess and MJ.
Dixie was preceded in death by her sister Patty and her father, Dick Davis. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, David Canfield and Jenny Foster of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Dylan Canfield and Liane Stephens of Seattle; her mother and step-father Olga and Lee Mayes of Federal Way; her partner of 30 years, Oddvar Ogland; her sisters Susan and Kris, her niece Andrea, and nephew Jon. She will be missed by her family and many friends and colleagues and remembered for her loving spirit, her steadfast support of her friends, her contributions to her world and her wonderful, generous smile.
Prior to a surgical procedure several months ago, while reflecting on life, Dixie wrote: "I do know that when my body is gone, my life spirit lives with those who knew me from experiences with me. I still remember my father who died 40 years ago - his life spirit speaks to me and when I need direction he is there. So, if I die, keep telling my stories, sharing joy in my accomplishments while laughing at my mistakes and follies, and keep believing in my trust of human beings and offer hope to everyone."
A memorial celebration was held Saturday, November 17 on the Puget Sound, which Dixie loved as much as life itself. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence or The Progressive Animal Welfare Society.
