Joan Augustus Dix, 81, died Nov. 20, 2003, at Enso House residential hospice center in Freeland.

A resident of the Maple Ridge senior condominiums in Freeland, she was an avid quilter, receiving a Good Housekeeping award for her Colorado Centennial quilt in 1978. She created several hundred quilts during her lifetime.

She was born June 10, 1922, in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 1943 and worked as a physical therapist before marrying Porter E. Dix in 1952. She enjoyed traveling and participated in many Elderhostel programs around the world. She also had a passion for genealogy and went to Ireland several times researching her family roots. She was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

She was proud of her four children and five grandchildren, and throughout her lifetime was actively involved in activities such as PTA and Girl Scouts.

After the death of her husband in 1991, Mrs. Dix became an active volunteer in grief support programs in Kennewick.

She is survived by a sister, Harriet Swanson of Chicago; son David of San Francisco; daughter Louise of Medford, Ore.; daughter Deborah of Clinton; and son Douglas of the Czech Republic; and grandchildren Mara and Sam Bauermeister, Sebastian and Anais Dix, and Joel Worster.

Donations in her name may be sent to Enso House, 6339 Wahl Road, Freeland, WA 98249.