Helen Dixon

Helen Krehbiel Gish Dixon, 77, also known as "B," died peacefully at her home Sunday, February 24, 2008. She is survived by her son, Jim Dixon, her granddaughter Chyna Rose Dixon and her dog Ling Shen, all of Taos; as well as by her brother Peter Michael Gish of Rhode Island. She was born on September 15, 1930 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Carl Knickerbocker Gish and Helen Baldwin Gish, joining two older brothers, Carl K. (Jim) 1924-1944 and Peter (Michael) 1926 - . She grew up in Westport, Conn., and discovered early abilities in Russian and music. She attended Barnard College, then the Sourbourne in Paris, and later completed her Master's degree at the University of Indiana. She worked in the Russian Department of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and was selected as a Guide/Interpreter for the first U.S./Russia exhibition in 1959. She attended Moscow University, and later worked as personal translator /interpreter for David Oistrakh, the great Russian violinist. She worked on people to people programs with Russia in '59,'61,'62 and '64. She served as a Teacher of Russian Studies at Hollins College in Virginia as well as at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1996, at 65, she joined the Peace Corp and served again in Russia teaching and educating for two more years. And always, wherever she went, she made music. She moved to Taos in 1986. She taught French and Russian at Taos High School, helped Eya Fechin translate much of Nicoli Fechin's writings from Russian into English, as well as working with Natalia Mogilnikova translating materials stemming from the Chernobyl disaster. She also taught music, piano, guitar and voice. She was active in the Taos Community Chorus, Our Lady of Guadalupe Choir, Friends Clearlight Service (Quaker), Open Heart and Taos Mountain Buddhist Sanghas, Peace Action N.M., Green Party and Veterans for Peace. She was a volunteer with Taos Hospice, Taos Public Library and other groups. She asks that instead of flowers, donations be made to any of the above groups. She would also like to express her appreciation to Taos Hospice for their help in the journey. In October, 2006 she was diagnosed with advanced non-operable metastatic cancer and given only a few months to live. This last unexpected extra year was filled with grace and beauty, and she once said it was the happiest year she'd ever had. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded and held by those she loved. There will be a potluck memorial celebration of her life, Saturday, March 22 at her house, 408 Perry Lane in Taos, from 12 noon 'til whenever. Call 758-3638 for directions. Shortly before she died she wrote these words; "I would like to thank all the friends who have been so kind to me over this period and wish them much happiness ahead. I am grateful for many happy times and much of interest in our community. To all who have been kind and fun - Thank you." Happy continuation!