Garfield Heights Toasts our Neighbor
Verleaner Dixon's 100th Birthday with Cake and Champagne!
On May 21, 2022, neighbors and family members gathered together on the front lawn of Verleaner Dixon's Marengo Avenue home, where she has lived for the last 37 of her 100 years. Known to many as "Mother Dixon," the centenarian has lived an inspirational life helping others. Council member John Kennedy presented her with a certificate signed by the Mayor of Pasadena. Neighbors sang Happy Birthday, ate chocolate cake and raised a glass to her amazing spirit and longevity.
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Born in Shivers, Mississippi, Ms. Dixon was raised in true country style, accustomed to hard chores and good country food. As a young woman, she found job opportunities in the area limited. Like many other Black people at the time, she immigrated to California. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Safety and Child Development from Cal State Los Angeles, she was hired as a case management worker for Los Angeles County. Through this career, she found a lifetime of satisfaction helping others. Incredibly, she has fostered over one hundred children in Pasadena. A devout and active member of Victory Bible Church, she has also been a longtime poll worker, among many other volunteer activities.
As a single woman, she worked and provided for herself and purchased her own homes. Her happiest memory is buying her first home. She settled on Douglas Street in Pasadena in 1977, moving to her current house on Marengo in 1985. The Marengo house is unique because it has a tree growing right through the center of the house! |
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Verleaner Dixon is a remarkable human being and a Garfield Heights treasure!
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Click here to read this "Pasadena Now" article
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What's still on Verleaner Dixon's 'bucket list'?
When asked about her plans for the future at the age of 100, Ms. Dixon replied that she still hopes "to learn how to play the piano." Upon hearing this at her birthday celebration, Garfield Heights neighbor Jon Langager heeded the call and sprang into action. He immediately introduced himself and volunteered to be Ms. Dixon's piano tutor. Jon has been giving her weekly lessons ever since!
Pasadena Now interviewed Jon and Ms. Dixon about their wonderful new relationship.
To read the Pasadena Now article seen below, click HERE.
Click here to read this article.