Dixie Darr of Vashon Island died surrounded by family on Jan. 7, 2008, following a brief illness. She was born Dixie June Allison on Nov. 26, 1932, in Neosho, Mo. Her parents were Clarence and Myra “Jackie” Allison, and her only sister, Clara, came 14 months later.

Darr was raised mostly in Joplin, Mo., and moved to Eastern Washington when she was a teenager. She married her high-school sweetheart Ken Darr when she was 18 years old. He was in the Navy and they traveled all over while their family grew.

In 1961, they landed on Vashon Island, where her parents had come to live in 1958.

Darr was preceded in death by her parents Clarence Allison and Myra Delilah Haughland, as well as her ex-husband Ken Darr. She is survived by her sister Clara McArthur of Federal Way, her cousin Linda Fitzgerald of Seattle, her four children Gregory Darr of Seattle, Rebecca Darr of Vashon, Susan Darr of Vashon and Lisa Darr of Olney, Mt., her two grandchildren Rodger Darr of Lacey, Wash., and Deanne Hagan of Vashon and one great-grandchild Bradley Sherman-Darr of Vashon.

Darr also has numerous surviving step-grandchildren, step-greatgrandchildren, nephews and great-nephews and nieces. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.