Winifred Louise Virtue Dixon, of Hamden and New Haven, Connecticut, passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the St. Raphael’s Campus of Yale-New Haven Hospital. She was 98 years-old.
Winifred Dixon was born in New Haven on October 29, 1920 to William Lopez Virtue and Florence Sinclair Virtue.
Winifred Dixon was a graduate of Hillhouse High School and received her Bachelor of Arts from the former New Haven State Teachers College, now Southern Connecticut State University. Ms. Dixon, still referred to with reverence by many as “Miss Virtue,” was known as an outstanding educator who cared about her students. She was also one of the first teachers of African descent within the New Haven public school system. Winifred was not afraid to recognize deserving and talented students, and she was equally unafraid to be firm with all students in the pursuit of excellence and achievement. She lovingly served the students for 47 years.
Mrs. Dixon is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Samuel Edgar Dixon, her daughter Sandra Elaine Dixon and son-in-law Christopher R. Owens of Brooklyn, New York, her grandsons Elijah (Earlham College) and Sampson (New England College), her nieces Patricia Taylor and Laurie Russell of Princeton, New Jersey, her nephew Whitney Epps of Hamden, her nieces Sheila Epps and Alice Jennings of Hamden, and numerous cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Interment of her cremated remains will take place Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Beaverdale Memorial Park, 90 Pine Rock Avenue, New Haven, followed by a Memorial Service at Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ, 217 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven at 11:00 a.m.
I am so sorry that I will not be able to join you tomorrow to pay tribute to MS Virtue’s long life. And I was sorry that she was taken ill on the morning of the Florence Virtue Homes 50th Anniversary and not able to attend that happy occasion.
It was warming to meet all the family members at that wonderful, uplifting celebration A celebration that reinforced to the New Haven Community at Large the importance of Florence Virtue Homeas being a good place to live.
Later on, I was able to visit Mr. and Mrs. Dixon at their home, bringing a framed copy of the Florence Sinclair Virtue Tribute that hangs in our office hallway. I was a little nervous about this visit because I arrived unannounced and more nervous went to the wrong door!
Mr. Dixon’s greeted me, wondering who I was and I ushered me in to meet Mrs. Dixon. I was concerned that she would not be able to hear me and would not understand my old-country accent, still there after 50 years here in Connecticut.
I remember the joy in her strong voice as she opened the package- “That’s Momma”.
On occasion, I pass by the Dixon home, smiling as I recall that most pleasant visit as I make my way to work.
I met the family at the 50th Anniversary and hope to meet them again at the 60th.
Peter J Gadsby, Manager, Florence Virtue Homes, New Haven, CT