November 24, 1956 – March 6, 2024
Janet Dixon passed away peacefully at her home in Lincoln, California, surrounded by her daughter, Alison, family, friends, and her loyal cat, Billy. Janet loved family and treasured every opportunity to be with them.
Janet was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Ralph and Marge Dixon. When she was four, the family moved to San Jose, California, where her father joined the Santa Clara Police Department. They left behind many uncles, aunts, and cousins, all raised in the city’s Mount Washington area. Janet traveled to Pittsburgh many times as a child and adult to visit them.
Janet loved animals (especially horses), the outdoors, and the ocean. In her younger days, she was an avid cyclist, often using her lunch break at work to ride for miles.
Janet excelled in school and loved learning. She attended grade school and high school in San Jose before graduating from UC Davis. She was awarded her Doctorate of Education from the University of San Francisco. She dedicated 40 years to her thriving career in technology and health care while balancing a busy family life. She co-founded the Women’s Interchange at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) to discuss issues important to women and parents. The group still exists today.
Janet married Richard Dickens in 1988 and lived in Stanford, California. Janet’s greatest love was mothering their son William and daughter Alison. The family also included Richard’s two grown sons, Gerald and Robert. The couple was passionate about traveling throughout the United States and Europe and frequently to England, where Richard had many relatives. Janet also loved Ireland, a love passed down from her mother.
Janet’s spiritual life was essential to her. She was active in the Episcopalian church, St. Bedes in Menlo Park, and later St. Augustine’s in Rocklin, California. She was a Eucharistic minister and participated in many committees and outreach programs.
Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Marge and Ralph Dixon, brother Mike, husband Richard Dickens, newborn sons Brian and Eric, and son William. She is survived by her daughter, Alison Dickens, step-sons Gerald Dickens and Robert Dickens, brother Bob Dixon (Kitty) and Sheila Pena (Richard), sister-in-law Kath Dixon, and four grandchildren–Dylan, Kyle, Ryleigh, and Finley Dickens. She also leaves behind seven nieces and nephews, Meghan Dixon, Molly Dixon Christensen(Justin), Amy Dixon Munselle(Lance), Katie Dixon, Sarah Pena (Victor), Matt Dixon(Caitlyn), and Jeff Pena(Monique), along with 14 great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.