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Vanessa Marie Lyn Dix
April 11, 1977-August 22, 2022
As published in the August 26, 2022 World-Spectator
Vanessa Marie Lyn Dix (Symak) died on August 22, 2022 at the age of 45 years after her fourth courageous battle with cancer.
Daughter of Denise Symak, Vanessa was born April 11, 1977 in Saskatoon, and was the second of five kids.
She is survived by her son Damon Dix, her mother Denise Symak, siblings Nicolas Symak, Melinda Symak, Lee Symak (Jocelyn), Michael Rudy (Kyra) and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her grandmother Jeannine Hamoline and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Vanessa graduated from Kamsack Comprehensive Institute in 1995. She attended SIAST-Kelsey Campus for nursing and became a diploma registered nurse in 1997.
She began her nursing career working at Eaglestone Lodge in Kamsack in 1997.
At the time she also worked at Hilderman’s drugstore and Kamsack Nursing Home.
In the spring of 1998, she moved to Saskatoon. She worked at Porteous Lodge, Stensrud Lodge, Oliver Lodge, Salvation Army Eventide Home and Saskatoon City Hospital.
In 2003, she married Richard Dix and became a parent to his eldest grandson, Damon. The blessing of raising a child was something she was truly grateful for.
In 2009, the Dix family moved to Moosomin, Saskatchewan.
In 2014, at the age of 37, she proudly received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan.
As a nurse, Vanessa worked hard to keep current. She obtained a CNA specialty certificate in Orthopedics and enjoyed attending educational conferences in that field.
She believed in fair and equal access to care and advocated for social justice in her practice. Even when it was difficult and came with retaliation, she stood up for what she felt was right. Her patients came first, and she was proud to care for them in a way she would have liked to be cared for if the roles were reversed. She worked as a Registered Nurse in the Moosomin Hospital until her final days as a nurse.
Passionate about self growth, creativity and continual learning, she was always learning something new.
She could cross stitch, knit, crochet and sew. She took up quilting in 2016 making over 60 quilts in her first two years of quilting.
In 2020 Vanessa bought a longarm quilting machine and learned how to do computerized quilting to try to get some of those quilts finished. She opened a longarm quilting business which she proudly ran for a year prior to her sickness. She was proud to have quilted over 160 quilts in that time and to establish a loyal customer base who she also called dear friends.
For many people who knew her, Vanessa was a mystery. A strong, driven woman, independent and private, outspoken yet reserved in other ways. She was always able to get back up and go on after life threw her another challenge.
Her colleagues will attest to her having a dry, dark sense of humor and an irritating, off-key, little song or jingle for almost any phrase or situation.
Vanessa was fortunate enough to travel. She loved experiencing new languages and cultures and always felt humbled after seeing how other people lived and navigated the world.
Her travels took her to various Canadian and American locations, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, Las Vegas and New York.
She had an adventurous side and tried sky diving (six jumps), zip lining, hot air ballooning, snorkeling and rapelling. She loved being near the ocean.
For those who knew and loved her, Vanessa was loving, generous and loyal. She had a deep belief in kindness and the importance of honouring traditions.
When she loved, it was with all her heart, when she did a job, it was with pride and attention to detail.
In her final days she was very blessed and grateful to be supported by her work friends and her quilting friends. For the visits, mail delivery, meals, snow removal, grocery trips, and all other sources of assistance, she thanks you for your kindness and assistance.
Vanessa left this world with a quiet grace, accepting of her diagnosis, and strong in her faith. She believed there are better things to come and was excited to find out what lies beyond life in this world.
At Vanessa’s request, no funeral service will be held.
Donations may be made to the Moosomin & District Health Care Foundation for the Southeast Integrated Care Centre, in memory of Vanessa.
Sign the online book of condolences at www.carscaddenfuneralchapel.com.
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