Dixie Lee Onion, 65, of Austinburg, Ohio, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 at Austinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from complications of two heart attacks.
She was born December 15, 1955 at Ashtabula General Hospital, the daughter of the late George A. and Anna E. (Brown) Onion, Sr. Dixie attended the Painesville City Schools where she graduated from Harvey High School and later married her now ex-husband, Lester Gabbert at Faith Lutheran Church in Ashtabula.
Dixie volunteered at the Orwell Senior Center and worked for McDonalds, Duff's Smorgasbord, Ashtabula County Medical Center Dietary Department, and Goodwill of Ashtabula where she was awarded "Worker of the Year." However, her best and most rewarding job was babysitting for her nieces and nephews and their children. In her spare time, Dixie had many hobbies including crafting, singing with her girlfriends, working out at Snap Fitness, sewing, and riding her 3-wheel bicycle.
She is survived by her siblings: George A. Onion, Jr. of Conneaut, Rose McKiethan (Jim) of Jefferson, Ruth Powell (Ken) of Conneaut, and Dinah Grimes also of Conneaut; nieces: Rochelle Biemesderfer (Brian), Sarah McKiethan, and Star Kirby (Richard); nephews: Charles and Jeremy Grimes, Joshua Powell (Amanda), and Nathan Powell; great-nieces and great-nephews: Alexis, Shelby, Gabriella, Stormi and Blade Kirby, Candace Wanstreet (Andrew), Braylen and Kyrie Burress, Skye and Dresden Biemesderfer, Blake, Kaleb and Addison Powell; great-great-nephews, Oakley Wanstreet, and Dashae Johnson.
Preceding her in death were her parents, George A. Onion, Sr. on September 29, 1995 and her mother, Anna E. (Brown) Onion on June 24, 2004; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was also preceded in death by her lifelong, childhood friend, Susan Retkofsky on February 20, 2020.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 2:00pm at Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio where the family will receive friends from 1:00pm until the time of service. Burial will be at a later date in Concord Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dixie's name to the Country Neighbor Program, 39 S. Maple Street, Orwell, OH 44076.
The family wishes to extend a sincere "Thank You" to the many Medical ICU workers at University Hospital who cared for Dixie during her 5 week stay and to the "Care Team" at Hospice of the Western Reserve. Also, a special "Thank You" to all of the employees and friends she made at Austinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for loving on our sister during her residency there.
Lake Erie Cremation & Funeral Service, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio assisted the family with arrangements. www.LakeErieCrematory.com