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RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
- RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
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RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Michael > February 23rd, 2014, 03:57 AM
My heart is breaking. I just learned that Dixie, who was once such a big part of these forums -- and of Xenite.Org -- passed away of a sudden heart attack on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Her family and friends are of course devastated.
These forums would not be here if it weren't for Dixie. Heck, I might have given up on Websites had it not been for Dixie.
In 1997 when I was struggling to keep up with all the weekly submissions to the original Xena Online Resources directory I finally threw in the towel after a marathon 36-hour weekend of checking and updating lists.
Dixie and a dozen other people volunteered to help manage the directory, and over the next several months she gradually took on more responsibilities for Xenite.Org and our volunteer team as I found myself immersed in work and travel.
When the original Xenite forums became too active for the scripts we were using at the time, Dixie helped to engineer our transition to the UBB forums. SF Fandom was, in many ways, her baby. Through major redesigns, transitions between hosting providers, and changes in team goals and membership she was there year after year, holding hands, taking care of so many details, and making sure everyone had a great time.
I can't begin to tell you how many times we talked on the phone and worked through a lot of problems. She also took an interest in my personal life, whether she wanted to or not, and listened to my frustrations and my anger and my excitement. We went through media interviews, crazy Website projects, and community development projects together. Some of our plans never went beyond the "what if" stage. Some of them proved to be very successful.
Her heart was full of fire, solid as gold, and as sweet as could be. She had her moments. We all do. And she had some down days, too.
When New Zealand actor Kevin Smith died, these forums were inundated with messages from fans around the world. After only a few days I accidentally wiped out all the forum data. Dixie spent four days trying to recover the data from a backup, but she was unsuccessful. I finally had to beg her to let the 15,000+ messages for Kevin's family go. They were shared out of love and lost for no good reason. It was heart-wrenching for her to see that happen.
Dixie hasn't been active on SF-Fandom in several years. We spoke from time to time, exchanged emails. She had moved on with her life and I knew she would probably never rejoin our community simply because she had done so much here she just needed to go on to a new phase of life. I understood and I accepted that, because friends do.
I don't know what else to say, except that you will be missed, my friend, and I only wish we had had one more chance to catch up and laugh again.
May God bless your soul and your family. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Boomstick > February 23rd, 2014, 05:03 PM
Michael, my heart sank when I received the email you sent out this morning. I didn't know Dixie well; she was mostly doing behind-the-scenes work by the time I showed up, if memory serves. My thoughts go out to her family and those here who were close to her. In spite of not knowing her well, her work provided me (and scores of other dedicated users) with years of enjoyment.
If you've been around here over the years, you know that this community has been the starting point for friendships and relationships all over the planet.
That's no small accomplishment, not to mention a beautiful legacy. Thank you, Dixie. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Calico > February 23rd, 2014, 07:15 PM
My thoughts go out to her family. Both real and extended. Dixie, you will be missed. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
BoardAdmin > February 23rd, 2014, 10:20 PM
One of the last emails I received from Dixie was a forward of an email spam she had received for our site. She said, "It was my duty to forward this to you.
"
I wish she could forward me a thousand more like that. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
RobRoy > February 24th, 2014, 01:12 PM
Michael sent me a message on Facebook about this, and I'm still saddened today. I didn't have the same level of relationship with Dixie, but she and I had worked together for a dozen years or more, and I felt like sharing with others who also knew her. She was kind of the rock for SF-FANDOM, and I was shocked to hear of her sudden passing. She'd just been teasing me on Facebook about a particular scene in my book. I was so flattered that she'd even bought it, let alone read and enjoyed it. But that was Dixie. She had such a vibrant personality, but she didn't foist it onto anyone. I've known her since about 1998-99 when I first came to Xenite.org as a newbie poster.
I still find it hard to believe that she's gone. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Ebony > February 24th, 2014, 03:19 PM
I just want to say how much I appreciate being notified of Dixie's passing. I haven't been here for a long time, but have made many lasting friendships from my time on these boards. My condolences to Dixie's family and friends. She was always kind to me, and I appreciated her work 'herding the cats'. Goodbye Dixie. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
badlands > February 24th, 2014, 05:45 PM
Maybe she blog with angels. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
gemini0521 > February 25th, 2014, 01:39 PM
My thoughts & prayers go out to Dixie's family. She was very nice to me the few times I contacted her,which was mainly when the forum was down for some reason. When that happened,she did whatever was necessary to get it back up and running. She will be missed. I don't think SF-Fandom would have gone as far as it did without her. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Michael > February 25th, 2014, 07:37 PM
For those who may be interested, here is the information for Dixie's memorial:
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RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
FilmGuy > February 25th, 2014, 11:26 PM
She loved the Harry Potter books. This is best tribute I can think of.
Watch Trailers from all the "Harry Potter" movies from YouTube
SF-Fandom not responsible for video content
SF-Fandom reserves the right to remove inappropriate video content from its discussions.
YouTube may remove the video from its service without notification.
These are the trailers from all the "Harry Potter" movies. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
KOH > March 9th, 2014, 08:48 PM
Cheryl D. (Dixie) Harrison, 54, passed away Saturday February 22, 2014. We thank the Lord for our blessings, and Dixie was a blessing to her husband, her children and friends. Our lives were richer for knowing her, and the lives she touched were made better in knowing her. A loyal friend with an open heart, those of you who share this privilege know the breadth and depth of those four simple words. Her loyalty was not easily earned, but once you earned it, she was with you until the end of whatever task was at hand. Whether fighting beside you or cheering from the side, she was ready to help you win. And if winning wasn't an option, she was there anyway. Laughter ruled her heart, and there were few times when she couldn't find the humor in just about any situation. Dixie loved her family beyond all measure, without bounds. The fierce love of her family was the focus of her spirit, but it rested on an almost boundless sea of compassion for others. Dixie understood the journey was important. She was an all-in kind of girl with a host of interests that usually involved swords, horses, dragons, poetry, reading and riding motorcycles. But these paled before her passion for her family. And now she is on a new journey to distant shores. And as she's riding to a new destination, there may be times when the veil thins, and when next you see a glorious sunset, the sky alive with fire, listen carefully to the wind, for you might just here her say, "How cool is that!"
She graduated high school in Summerville, S.C. and later served her country, enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Dixie attended Weatherford College as a student, later she became an instructor and was employed as the Learning Management System Administrator for Weatherford College.
Memorial services were held on February 28, 2014 at the Weatherford College Fine Arts Center.
She is survived by her husband Kim, sons, Michael and Jacob, daughters, Darla, Dusti and Mandy. Her parents, Matthew and Marion Vacher, brother Matthew Vacher III. Seven grandchildren.
Here's one of her poems:
Crystal Heart Unbroken
By Cheryl D. Harrison
How many times the heart can break
Is not beknown to man;
But woman celebrates her fate
To bend and break again.
The crystal vase antique, her heart,
Tumbled, dropped, caressed;
A spider web tenacious glass,
Weathered, banal life professed.
Fingers find the tiny niches,
Eyes not sharp enough to guess,
The etch betrays the glistening whole
Of life that she calls blessed.
Not a drop of water does it spill;
Still faithful, loyal, true --
Through one small mishap seems to be
One more it won't live through.
You gaze in silent wonder at
The strength as yet displayed;
The glow it still returns to you
As ages wear away. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
Michael > March 15th, 2014, 10:42 PM
Here is a link to Dixie's obituary in the Weatherford Democrat:
Cheryl D. (Dixie) Harrison
I disabled her account on Xenite.Org last night. That was really hard for me. I will miss you, Dixie. We'll all miss you. I hope you're laughing with friends and loved ones somewhere, facing new challenges. -
RIP Dixie Harrison, co-founder of SF-Fandom
FilmGuy > March 16th, 2014, 09:49 PM
I think Michael overlooked KOH's post, which was being held for moderation. I have approved it.