Fonds M1995.51.0 - Helen Dixon fonds

Born Helen Ferguson in England in 1907, Helen came to Canada with her parents when she was nine years old. They settled in Victoria, B.C., where Helen grew up and obtained her teaching degree. She came to the Cariboo in 1927 and taught at Chezacut and Kersley before coming to Quesnel in 1931. In 1945 Helen married the well-known magistrate, Arthur Dixon, but continued her teaching career, which spanned 40 years. Helen was an integral part of the community, also teaching English to new Canadians in her spare time and during holidays. She was an enthusiastic dancer and thespian and also taught dancing and directed concerts through the 1930s and 1940s. Quesnel Elementary School, where she taught for over 30 years, was re-named Helen Dixon Elementary School in 1965 in her honour. Mrs. Dixon was so well liked that many pupils she had taught 35 years before attended the ceremony. Helen Dixon retired from teaching in 1967, after spending her final year helping new teachers. She died in G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital on February 20, 1976 at the age of 69.