Elaine Nixon

was at home with her husband of 40 years Dwight Nixon and sister-in-law. She is also

survived by her sister Elise Martin, son Scott Gowers and grandsons Alex and Alan.

Elaine was born on April 2, 1951 in Albemarle County, Virginia to parents Elfrida and

Carlton Martin (both deceased). She grew up primarily in Virginia but spent several

years in Okinawa and Germany where her father was working for the American Red

Cross. She was a 1969 graduate of Groveton High School (now West Potomac High

School) in Alexandria, VA.

Elaine earned an Associates degree in Nursing from Northern Virginia Community

college (1980) and went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from George

Mason University (1990) where she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International

Honor Society of Nursing. Elaine worked for 40 plus years as a nurse with Northern

Virginia Doctors hospital and Inova Fairfax. She was a Registered Nurse with both

CCRN (Critical Care) and PACN (Post Anesthetic Care) certifications which she

maintained after her retirement in 2017. As part of her desire to continue serving her

community she studied and practiced Tai Chi eventually receiving certification as an

instructor. She taught for several years at the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center

Without Walls were she was acknowledged as their Volunteer of the Year. She also

attended classes with Fairfax County and became a member of the Burke Community

Emergency Response Team (CERT).

She was an avid reader and loved to cook. When not in the kitchen she could usually be

found with her Kindle, iPad or a book in her hands. She enjoyed preparing treats which

she would take into the hospital for her coworkers after a particularly trying day. She

loved talking about food and exchanging recipes with friends and coworkers. She was

the primary organizer and chef for most of our family gatherings over the last 20 years.