×

E. Catherine ‘Katie’ (Johnson) Dickson

Jan. 8, 1928 – Sept. 17, 2024

Dickson

E. Catherine “Katie” (Johnson) Dickson, age 96, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, teacher, friend and tireless volunteer, calmly passed into the arms of the Heavenly Father at home on Sept. 17, 2024, surrounded by her family. The youngest child of Robert M. and Rachel Claire (Cherry) Johnson, Katie was born on Jan. 8, 1928, and raised on the family homestead in Tipton, Pa.

Katie was a graduate of Bellwood High School, Class of 1945. During summer breaks in high school, along with many other young women from the area, she participated with the “PRR Farm Girls,” working in the tobacco fields near Hartford, Conn. After graduating from Bellwood High School, Katie enrolled at Lock Haven University as an education major.

On July 29, 1948, Katie married Robert B. Dickson in Amherst, Mass. The newlyweds moved to Buffalo, N.Y., to begin raising their family of three children. In 1956, the family moved to Sylvania, Ohio, when Bob accepted a new position with General Motors in Toledo, Ohio. In 1962, Katie completed her Elementary Education degree at Bowling Green State University. Katie was a third grade teacher for nine years at Stranahan Elementary School in Sylvania, Ohio.

In 1971, the empty-nesters returned to Katie’s family homestead in Tipton and she began teaching third grade in the Bellwood-Antis School district, retiring in 1998. After she retired, Katie volunteered as a teacher’s aide at Myers Elementary School, Care and Share, the Hope Center and was an avid supporter of the Bellwood Public Library.

Katie was a member of the Tipton United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. She served on many committees and was its long-time treasurer.

She served on the board of the Bellwood School Foundation and was a member of the Bellwood Historical Society, Descendants of Civil War Veterans, Kosmos, Tyrone Business and Professional Women’s Association, American Rosie the Riveter Association, the Cherry Family Reunion and Charlottesville Cemetery Association.

She is survived by her son, William R. (Terry) Dickson; daughters, Linda Dickson and Leslie (Larry) Johnson; six grandchildren: Richard Wood, Matthew (Heidi) Dickson, Jennifer (Theodore) Fryxell, Karianne, Kristie and Bradley (Kristen) Johnson; and six great-grandchildren: Alexandrea Johnson, Greta and Sonya Fryxell, Xross Johnson, Conor and Larkin Johnson.

In addition to her parents, Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (1985); sister, Rachel; and brothers: Robert, Charles and John.

The family would like to recognize the following for their love and friendship over the many years: Mary Brunner, Phyllis Burkholder, Jeannie Takach, Katie Cowher, her church family, Sue and Duane Stere, the Ray Taylor family, the Kosmos ladies, the Business and Professional Women’s Association, “the front porch parrots” Connie James, Sam and Nancy Brisbin, the Rev. TJ McCabe, and the many others who brought friendship and fellowship throughout the years.

Katie especially enjoyed gatherings with the retired Bellwood teachers and volunteers from the Hope Center and Grace Lutheran Church. Reunions with former high school and college classmates were filled with much laughter and reminiscing. When out in the community, Katie was always thrilled to encounter former students, their parents, former co-workers and volunteers who took the time to stop and chat with her.

As the never-ending educator, Katie has donated her body to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to further the education of their medical students.

Friends will be received from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Tipton United Methodist Church. A celebration of her life will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, followed by a time of refreshment and fellowship to be held in the church social hall.

The family suggests that contributions in Katie’s memory be made to Bellwood-Antis Public Library.

Arrangements are by Jon C. Russin Funeral Home, Inc. Bellwood.

russinfuneralhome.com