Obituary of Dixiane Forrestal

Dixiane A. Forrestal (nee Atkinson) was born on September 24, 1914, the third of six children. Her early years were difficult as her widowed mother worked to support the family. Her mother remarried and Sam Jeffries became the father who got them through the Great Depression. Coming out the other side of such difficult economic times, Dixiane worked hard to get a college education. She struck out on her own and was soon a successful and independent woman—not a common thing in those days. She met a young sailor, Frank Forrestal, and they fell in love. They were married and in 1941, a girl was born. Never one to sit still, Dixiane followed her husband from place to place as the Navy moved him from one post to another. Along the way, she volunteered in hospitals, worked on airplane instruments during World War II, taught herself double entry bookkeeping, led girl scout troops, and held a variety of positions. When Frank left the Navy, he and Dixiane settled in Florida and had another girl, Jean, who was the light of Dixiane's life as she grew to adulthood. They lived for many years on the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, living in Florida is not always easy, and all the family photographs were destroyed in a hurricane, leaving the only visual records in the memories of the family members. Dixiane moved to Virginia after Frank died. She soon realized that the harsh Virginia winters were more than she could cope with, and when her younger daughter moved to Florida, Dixiane moved to be with her. In the time she has lived here, she has made many good and loving friends. As she approached her century mark, there were many wonderful people in her support group. She continued making friends and enjoying her days as she moved and passed the 100 year mark and even the 101 year mark surrounded by those who loved her. Her wit, humor and charm will be greatly missed by all.