Celebrating the Life of Our Beloved Aunt

On October 21st, our family lost a true light in our world — our aunt Helen Maria Dixon, a woman whose warmth, generosity, and spirit had a profound impact on everyone she met. Known lovingly in the neighborhood as “the barbecue lady,” she was a true community staple. She brought people together, uplifted everyone around her, and created a sense of home wherever she went.

She was the life of every party, always carrying an amazing attitude and an open heart. She kept her own struggles quiet, choosing instead to pour love into her family, friends, and community. She adored her nieces and nephews, treasured their children, and, though she had no children of her own, she was a mothering figure to all of us — nieces, nephews, and young people who simply needed someone in their corner.

She loved spending time with her closest friends at the RiverWest Tavern and the Clinton Rose Center — places that brought her joy, laughter, and a sense of belonging. The friendships she made there were among the most cherished in her life, and she loved those friends with all her heart.

Her giving spirit extended far beyond our family. She went out of her way to help young people get ahead, assisting countless individuals in finding their footing, landing jobs, and even jumpstarting entire careers. She cared deeply for her special-needs brother and devoted herself fully to caring for her ailing mother — even stepping away from her long and successful career at Northwestern Mutual to do so.

She gave so much and asked for so little.

As we work to honor her memory and lay her to rest with the dignity she deserves, we are asking for support. Any contribution — no matter the size — will go directly toward funeral costs and ensuring her legacy is celebrated the way she lived: with love, community, and togetherness.

Thank you for helping us honor a woman who meant so much to so many.