Obituary of Teresa Lorraine Dixon

Teresa "Terri" Lorraine Manzitto Dixon passed away March 31, 2011, after a lengthy battle with CHF. She is again reunited with her husband in the arms of her Heavenly Father. She was 78 years of age. Terri was the only child born to Alfred Manzitto and Rose Brikman Manzitto Violet., and lived in Sacramento for most of her early life. She graduated from Woodland High, where she was a soprano in the Madrigal Choir. She married Robert Dixon in 1952 and moved to Thornton, making the transition from "city girl to country girl". With the help of her mother-in-law, Roberta Dixon, she learned to sew, cook, garden, and can her own fruits and vegetables. She also designed the floor plan of the family home they built in 1966, which survived the Thornton flood of 1986. Once her children were all in school she worked in the kitchen of New Hope Elementary, and later became the school's librarian and music teacher. She was an active member of PTA. Many children throughout the north county experienced her songs and stories when she became a assistant librarian for the City of Lodi. She taught Sunday School for many years at Thornton Bible Church and was also their music leader. After her husband's passing, she sold their home in Thornton and moved to Stockton to be closer to her children. She was a member of Lincoln Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and was involved in their children's worship service. Her other interests included reading her Bible, Bible Study Fellowship Leadership, and the Friends of the Lodi Library. She also enjoyed researching various health issues, and writing letters on many of her environmental concerns. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Loree Violet Berry, and her brother Gordon Violet. She is survived by her four children: Elaine Dixon -Ugarkovich (William), Diane Dixon French (Victor), and Keith -all of Stockton, and Kevin (Carolyn Sue) of Victor. She is also survived by her brothers Alfred Manzitto, Jr of Citrus Heights and Jon Violet of Sacramento and her only grandchild, Steven Ugarkovich of Stockton. Private burial services were held at Lodi Memorial Cemetery with Rocha's Funeral Home handling the arrangements. As per her request, a memorial service will be held at Lincoln Presbyterian Church, 900 W Douglas Road on Friday, April 8, at 11:00 AM. Donations in her memory can be made to Bethesda Teaching Ministry/ Rancho Santa Marta P.O. Box 20028 El Cajon CA 92021 or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Brenda Wilson for her special care and friendship provided to Terri during the past few months.