Dixie Lee Hansen

It is impossible to define a Lost Love with a single word. But if forced, as her mate for over half a century, I would say that Dixie was The Garden of Eden Gardener - always proud of being a farmer’s daughter and making everyone and everything she touched grow.

Her families always came first. She enjoyed entertaining them at every possible event, from get togethers to anniversaries. Her glass was always full.

Professionally she had worked in the nuclear biz with top secret clearances. In the 1960’s she moved into academia with Del Oviatt, then CSUN President. Next came being a CSUN student affairs administrator, president assistant at Alliant U, onto SDSU and KPBS office manager for many years before retirement.

Those were her day jobs. After hours activities had to do with stuff that grows. She enjoyed the Point Loma Garden club for years until nature interviended with RH, falls, etc. She never quit working until a caregiver with an infected Corvis didn’t believe in masks. She ran in the First LA Marathon in 1986. Enjoyed sailing, locally, Catalina Island, and especially bareboating in the Caribbean Islands. This ended in purchasing a view lot in St.Croix - intended for retirement home.

To celebrate her many, many achievements I would like to select a few specific examples. Dixie was an idealist and perfectionist. Something is either damn right or damn wrong - trust me: after cohabiting fifty plus years with her - I know.

Snippets.

1. Family always came first. Never missed eventful dates.

Always offered encouragement, most importantly Dixie was always available to help anyone in need.

2. Dixie loved animals, esp. cats and wolves. Once she found an abandoned kitten on our street, after feeding her milk on a q-tip she named her puddy kat. PK exhibited unfeline behavior. She walked off the boat dock and into our pond. Not normal - vet discovered Puddy Kat had been born without a retina e.g. blind. Did Dixie ever find her calling. Unbelievable, with Dixie tutelage PK never messed, enjoyed laying in human laps living a full life, all while never having been able to see, no retina. She survived and gave much happiness to those she met - all thanks to Dixie.

3. Every published catalog was fair game for Dixie - each purchase had to be perfectly matched to the receiver. The sales catalogs just keep coming.

4. Plants had to be surgically trimmed, watered and fed.

5. She loved to travel - many nations - favorites, Denmark and Thailand. Her home was magnificently decorated with stuff from these nations. Always reminded me that Denmark was the first nation to allow women to vote and for sure I must never forget.

6. Entertaining: She loved to share. Planning events, especially Christmas, was masterful. She early on took to Danish traditions, designs and food. Here is a detailed example of her favorite. In her honor - try emulating it sometime.

Christmas - always began with the “professor's glog” a special concocted hot drink containing redwine, aquavit (Jubileum), many spices, orange peels and stirred with a cinnamon stick. This drink quickly dispelled any cool or chillish feelings among attendees. Voices rise, laughter abounds, jokes shared and for sure Christmas Eve has begun in earnest. By now everyone important has arrived and eating is about to take a serious turn. Dixie’s annual extravaganza begins.

First: The Cold Table: Consisting of a variety of cheeses, eel, sardines, rye breads, crackers and the like. The table is beautifully adorned with holiday decorations and a bunch of lit candles. The eel, provided by Leesa, has been skinned and is great on dark breads. True Vikings are now ebullient as they relish eating eel, sardines and drinking Gloog and/or Carlsberg Elephant beer. Windows and doors are opened to provide more oxygen.

Second. The famous “Nut Prize” event. It is a single gift bestowed on the person lucky enough to get an almond hidden in a cup of cooked white rice. The cups are distributed randomly and participants are free to exchange - seeking better odds. Lots of chicanery ensues, but no touchee. Then the rice is consumed until someone chews into the almond and then gets “The Nut Prize” - often a gag type.

Third; As this “Nutty” event ebbs, the table is reset for the “Hot Table.” This is the result of lots earlier and endless shopping sprees, Danish cookbook studies, honed gourmet skills, restricted kitchen access and unlimited wine for cooks. Aromas are indescribable, penetrating into the living room which is dominated by a stylish tree adorned with beautiful trinkets from all over the world. The non-chefs are admiring this, hoping it is soon time to eat. And what eats it becomes; ham, turkey, yams,rutabagas (the best), carrots, candied small potatoes, salads, relishes, and more. Often guests would enrich the table with their own unique holiday foods. When everyone has had enough they tend to sit and rest a bit.

Fourth: Time to burn off the calories by singing and dancing around the beautiful tree, which now also has presents under it. Joining hands we move around the tree in various steps singing songs suggested by members. BUT it always end with a Danish ditty “Nu har vi Jul egen, og Julen var vid till Paske” (Loose English: Now we have Christmas again and Christmas lasts until Easter) This refrain is repeated indefinitely at an ever increasing pace, until the frail are forced to sit or fall down. Refreshments are refreshed.

Fifth: Everyone mellows - but some are getting second winds and it is time for sweets: pies, ices, cookies, cakes, candies and more. You would think this was the end, but oh no. Everyone shares and enjoys their presents with selected libations. Hugge is “Danish” for cozy-happiness. Dixie Lee was an ace at orchestrating this kind of environment.

To honor our beloved Dixie we must try to emulate her love and -- practice her standards. This task now behoves us all: Alex, Leesa, Anne, Erich, Kimo, Mark, Debra, Pieter, Ian, Paul, Ellen and all those who knew Dixie through the years.

Dixie was hospitalized from covid-19 due to an unmasked professional caregiver over Christmas 2020. Returned home, collapsed and died at UCSD from a heart attack January 2, 2021. She struggled to the end and left an incredible legacy of happiness and optimism.

Dixie Lee remains ever present,always smiling, joking and planning for the next opportunity to help us enjoy each other-

Eternally. THANKS!

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