Dixie Card Merrifield, 79, of  Amston, CT, passed away peacefully on November 17,2025, due to Complications of Parkinson's Disease, at the Marlborough Health and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Winsted, CT, on February 21,1946, the daughter of the late Clarence and Pauline (Nash) Card, Dixie would attend the local elementary schools in Norfolk, CT and graduate from Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted, CT. She would go on to earn Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University.

Her career in teaching began in Colebrook, CT where she taught Kindergarten for one year at the Colebrook Consolidated Elementary School. Moving from Norfolk to Hebron CT, she would go on to teach first grade at both Hebron Elementary School and Gilead Hill School for 34 years. ln 1967, she would meet the love of her life, Robert Lynn Merrifield, and they would be married on August 16, 1969, at The Church of Christ, Congregational, Norfolk, CT. They would settle in Hebron, and later to the Amston section of Hebron where they made their home and would raise their children.

Dixie had many interests and things she loved to do. She loved nature and being out in the fresh air working in her flower gardens while at the same time watching the birds, butterflies, deer and all that nature had to offer her as she was working in her yard. She enjoyed vacations to Cape Cod and Ogunquit, Maine, going to the beaches, quaint shops, restaurants and especially long walks on the Marginal Way.

She was an avid hiker and would take long hikes with her husband Bob, pointing out wildlife which helped him with his wildlife photography. Dixie loved holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas were two of her favorites. She would host as many as 35 family members for Thanksgiving. She loved decorating her home for Christmas and the gifts and smiles as the family opened their presents.  Dixie was truly an exceptional person who enriched the lives of so many who returned their love to her.

Most importantly, she will be remembered by her family as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her loss will be mourned by all who knew her. She leaves her loving husband of 56 years, Bob; her children, Kristy Merrifield-Gawlak and her husband John Gawlak of Colchester, Robert Card Merrifield of Los Angeles, CA; her brother Clarence W. Card, Jr, of Bedford, M; her stepsister, Donna Whitney of Richmond, VA; two grandchildren, Meghan Lynn Wood and John Robert Wood; and many extended family members and friends. ln addition to her parents, Dixie was predeceased by her stepmother Dorothy Nickerson Card, father, Clarence W. Card, Sr.; and her stepbrother Peter Cleveland Platt. 

Family and friends may call at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, on Friday, November 21st at 11-1PM. A Funeral Service will take place at 12:30PM. Burial will occur immediately after in the New Hebron Cemetery on Wall St, Hebron, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dixie's memory may be made to the Parkinsons Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org.