June L. Dixon

June L. Dixon, 94, of Lake Barrington, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 8, 2018. She was born on January 18, 1924 in Chicago to Charles and Mary (nee Gavin) McCarthy.

June was a devoted mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with them.

She will be deeply missed by her loving daughters, Patricia (William) D. McCarthy  and Judy (Denny) D. Snyder; grandchildren, Ryan and Julia McCarthy, Bradley (Erica), Kelly, and Cody Snyder. She was preceded in death by her husband, John G. Dixon.

A chapel service and entombment will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 11 AM at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL.

A Mother’s Greatest Gift

As we advance through this process of life, our perceptions of Motherhood evolve. When we are very young the concept of Mother means physical care, a certain knowing that she is present for you. To hold, to stay warm, contributing to a constant vague sense of envelopment.

During these years in a child’s life, Mother means meeting a constant variety of needs, and exhausting job, at best. The foundation is laid from which ever-expanding and ever deepening skills develop within this person called Mother. As Motherhood prevails through the earliest of years, it then prepares for the long season. Evolving years of compliance to routines, school preparations and obligations of other natures.

Activity schedules, endlessly seeming parental obligations, clothing needs, and medical needs changing. Mother assuages the fears of childhood let downs, giving emotional and physical support in ever expanded ways as young beings go forth into their unknown world. A twelve year hitch as child blossoms into young adulthood. The duties begin to phase from meeting needs to the beginnings of letting go. Letting go, the most challenging of all of the phases, for like the babe forged within the body of the Mother, this requires birth, this process tears apart the fabric which once held together all the previous years and requires some of the deepest gifts of any Mother’s heart.

Time on their own, a Mother’s investment begins years of autonomy, through inevitable checkpoints at which the constancy of her love are returned to through phone calls and visits. A time in which the vigilance of a Mother’s love becomes a sounding board for new levels of challenges. The years pass, the meaning of Mother remains constant and ever present. An ear to listen and advise as she grows older, too. The legacy of everything she has given is transferred Mother to child, child to Mother. This continuation of life is the passing of what it means to be a Mother and is contained in the Child’s consciousness and daily motions.

Perhaps the greatest gift of all is the bequest of what has been learned, life’s lessons gleaned from living life. In these years, her gifts are exposed like jewels emerging from the background of a life well lived. Messages of compassion, un-recognized sacrifice, strength, consistency, wisdom, and immense love.

Written for June L. Dixon by Pat McCarthy