Abington Nursing School Advocate Mourned

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —The community is mourning the loss of a woman who was "a passionate advocate for nursing" and generously endowed the Abington Nursing School, Jefferson Health - Abington said.

Edith Robb Dixon died last Saturday at age 91 following a brief and sudden illness, her obituary states.

"We are saddened to announce the passing of our friend and supporter," Jefferson Health - Abington said in a Facebook post. "Her legacy of kindness, wisdom, and community spirit will forever inspire us."

Dixon's support helped the program achieve Magnet recognition and she was honored with an honorary doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University.

Her legacy continued with the establishment of the Dixon Campus for the Jefferson College of Nursing in 2020, Jefferson Health said.

Jefferson Health is expected to hold a memorial service for Dixon in September.

A born and bred Philadelphian, she spent time in Winter Harbor, Maine, and Palm Beach, Florida, but Philadelphia was always home, said the Helweg & Rowland Funeral Home's obituary.

Along with her husband, Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr. (d. 2006), she was active in the communities where she lived, attending sports events and charity functions, working on boards, and volunteering.

Upon her husband's passing, she took an even more active role on many boards, including chairing some. She was always ready to give her well-thought-out opinion and lead with knowledge, passion, and determination.

Dixon remained active on the boards of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Abington Jefferson Hospital, the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, and the Hill at Whitemarsh, where she lived.

"Edith was a true philanthropist, and her generosity expressed a love for family, friends, and the thoughtfully chosen organizations she served across healthcare, education, the arts, and environmental preservation," her obituary said.

She was also passionate about her faith and was an active member of St. Paul's Church in Philadelphia, Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach and St. Christopher's-by-the-Sea in Winter Harbor, Maine.

She was chair of the church committee in Maine for many years and still was a strong sounding board for those currently serving.

Dixon is survived by her brother, David B. Robb (Patricia), her children George Dixon (Judith) and Ellin Miller (Bruce), grandchildren Christopher Dixon (Karen), Sarah Dixon, and Hilary Spandorfer (Robert) and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

• Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, 9 Atterbury Circle, P.O. Box 277, Winter Harbor, ME 04693 (www.schoodicinstitute.org)
• St. Timothy's School, 8400 Greenspring Avenue, Stevenson, MD 21153 (www.stt.org)
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19118 PA, (www.stpaulschestnuthill.org)
• Winter Harbor Yacht Club, Grindstone Avenue, P.O. Box 2, Winter Harbor, ME 04693
• Grindstone Association Pool Fund, Winter Harbor, ME 04693