Dixie Darlene (Novasio) Shade died in her sleep Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 after a long illness. Dixie was born April 4, 1939, in Billings, the daughter of Dick and Doris Novasio. Due to a birth injury, Dixie spent the majority of her childhood at the Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles. She graduated from Lone Pine High School in 1957. Dixie attended Northwest Community College in Powell, where she obtained her associate's degree and then graduated from University of Wyoming with a bachelor's degree in social work. On July 12, 1959 Dixie married Alonzo Shade. Two children, Rich and Sheri, were born to this union. While living in Powell, Dixie enjoyed working as a police dispatcher for the local police department for 12 years. After obtaining her social work degree, she was employed by Bighorn Enterprises in Thermopolis and then by Wyoming Independent Living in Casper until her retirement in 1993.Dixie is survived by her son Rich of New York City and her daughter Sheri and her two sons, Randy and Casey, of Billings. She is also survived by her brothers Gregg Novasio of Roberts, Mont., and Scott Novasio of Red Lodge; numerous nieces and nephews; and her best friend of 40-plus years, Linda Addison of Powell. Services for Dixie were held Sunday, Dec. 6 in Billings. Donations in Dixie's name may be made to Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital or Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Dixie Darlene (Novasio) Shade died in her sleep Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 after a long illness.

Dixie was born April 4, 1939, in Billings, the daughter of Dick and Doris Novasio. Due to a birth injury, Dixie spent the majority of her childhood at the Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles. She graduated from Lone Pine High School in 1957. Dixie attended Northwest Community College in Powell, where she obtained her associate's degree and then graduated from University of Wyoming with a bachelor's degree in social work.

On July 12, 1959 Dixie married Alonzo Shade. Two children, Rich and Sheri, were born to this union.

While living in Powell, Dixie enjoyed working as a police dispatcher for the local police department for 12 years. After obtaining her social work degree, she was employed by Bighorn Enterprises in Thermopolis and then by Wyoming Independent Living in Casper until her retirement in 1993.

Dixie is survived by her son Rich of New York City and her daughter Sheri and her two sons, Randy and Casey, of Billings. She is also survived by her brothers Gregg Novasio of Roberts, Mont., and Scott Novasio of Red Lodge; numerous nieces and nephews; and her best friend of 40-plus years, Linda Addison of Powell.

Services for Dixie were held Sunday, Dec. 6 in Billings. Donations in Dixie's name may be made to Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital or Rocky Mountain Hospice.