Dixie M. Gillette, resident of Taos for 45 years, died peacefully at the Taos Retirement Village on March 24.
Dixie was born on December 4, 1921 in Antonito Colorado to Myrta Harrison Ellis and Elias Ellis and was subsequently raised by her maternal grandparents. She graduated from Stephens College in Missouri. then worked for the Colorado Springs Telegraph Gazette, and in 1946 married George Gillette in Denver. George was a a career officer in the U.S. army and served in the Tenth Mountain Infantry In WWll. He and Dixie were stationed for many years in Germany before his retirement. They eventually moved to Taos, settling in Cañon in the mid l960s.
Dixie was an avid reader and a lover of art. She volunteered at the Harwood Foundation Library where she worked of over ten years. She also worked part-time for the Mission Gallery. Dixie had a passion for the Southwest, it's history and cultures, as well as a deep interest in and curiosity about archeology, geology, the history of trains, and nature in general. She loved music from classical to jazz and was a talented pianist, a great cook and a fine photographer. With friends, she spent countless hours exploring NM, Colo, Ariz, and Utah. Her keen eye was always open for a photo of the mountains, and clouds that she loved.
Memorial gifts may be made to the charity of choice.