Dixie Lee Hart

Dixie Lee Hart, 82, of Fortville, Indiana, made her peaceful transition April 1, 2026. She was born November 5, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Richard and Matilda (Ferencik) Piercy.

Dixie was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, traveler, animal-lover, dancing bebopper, and especially grandmother. She instilled a love for travel in her children, who had road-tripped to all the contiguous United States and travelled internationally before even finishing high school. Then later, with her husband and companion since high school, Bill, they regularly piloted their RV west – sharing a fascination and deep respect for Native American culture – eventually piloting the RV to their 49th state, Alaska.

She loved all animals, especially dogs and wild birds, hummingbirds in particular. Dixie’s rural home was a haven for dogs over the decades, taking in too many strays to count (some with their litters), and in her later years, Shih Tzus. She also loved music, especially Motown, and jumped at any invitation to bebop. She had a quick, sometimes nasty sense of humor. Oh, and she loved Paul Newman. And Peeps. Always stale.

Dixie never forgot a birthday, was generous with gifts on every holiday, not just the gift-giving ones, and attended every grandchild’s school and sporting event she could, even traveling to Minnesota several weeks annually to do so. She fiercely defended her right to spoil her grandkids, unapologetically introducing them to such atrocities as bologna, American “cheese” singles, Banquet Fettucine Alfredo, and The Wiggles. And she was always up for a competitive, often feisty game of Monopoly with them, where any whining was met with her tiny finger violin. She hated to lose.

Dixie is survived by her children Deb May, Brian (Kristina) Hart, and Christa (Dave) Pullen; grandchildren Mia May, Ben Pullen, Vivian Hart, Claire Pullen, and Olivia Hart; brother Robert (Lana) Piercy; sisters-in-law Shirley Piercy and Marilyn (Jan) Scott; and many nieces and nephews. Dixie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; and her brother, David Piercy.

There will be a memorial celebration for Dixie at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dixie’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association.