Obituary of Dixie Trenholm

December 8, 1942 – May 1, 2024

Heaven has a new angel. It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dixie Aliston Trenholm (nee Dennis) at the age of 81 on Tuesday May 1, 2024. Loving & caring wife of Locksley Trenholm & a proud mother of Debbie (David Bradly) & Richard (Debbie Harrold).

Dixie’s upbeat & positive nature will be profoundly missed by her family, neighbours & friends around the world. She was proud of her grandchildren Wilson & Lauchlyn Trenholm as well as her step-grandchildren Ophelia & Lloyd Bradly. She will always have a special place in the hearts of her brother Bill, stepsister Louise, stepbrother John, sisters-in-law Vicki & Beverly, brother-in-law Donald, nieces Leslie, Jamie, Suzanne & Amy, nephews Robert, Jason & Rob as well as her Godson Jeremy.

Married on August 10, 1968 to Locksley, who she met in a parking lot at Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa on his first day at work.  It was a true love story of 55 years.

While she travelled throughout Europe, China, Japan, New Zealand, lived in England & spent winters in Florida, the place she called home was the small town of Carp in the Ottawa Valley.  She lived here for over 50 years & was integral in building this small cross-roads town into the dynamic village that it is known today. Whether as a leader or in a supporting role in the background, Dixie was integral in establishing the Huntley Curling Club, co-owner of Country Crafts artisan store, expanding the West Carleton Public Library & transforming the Diefenbunker into a unique Canadian museum.

Dixie was on numerous competitive curling teams & participated in curling tours of Scotland.  One of her highlights was to be the Skip of the first 8-ender at the Huntley Curling Club.

Dixie’s boundless energy with her ‘anything is possible’ mantra created ways to fundraise to help the community grow. She spearheaded the curling club fundraiser of 4 editions of Gidday Again cookbooks which countless Ottawa Valley residents treasure in their kitchens to this day. She organized fundraising for Olympic rower Elizabeth Urbach who lived in Carp & for multiple years, she was ‘Race Chair’ of the Diefenbooker Classic Run.  Fondly known as ‘Diefen-Dixie’ she rallied friends & volunteers to be involved in organizing tours of the decommissioned Diefenbunker. Together they raised $150,000+ for the Carp Library in only 10 days.

She worked as a local newspaper reporter, taught many local youths to become certified babysitters & managed tradeshows in Ottawa. She loved volunteering at the Carp Library & proudly sang with St Paul’s United Church choir.

In 1976, Dixie was thrilled to be presented to Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Tour of the Maritimes.  In 1998, she was honoured with the recognition as West Carleton Citizen of the Year.

Dixie loved being outdoors; downhill skiing, birding, golfing, swimming, cross country skiing in the Carp Hills & walking hand-in-hand with Locks in her Westwood neighbourhood. She built bountiful gardens of flowers and vegetables.  She never hesitated to share gardening tips & extra veggies with friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Senior Solutions, Carp Commons & Almonte Country Haven whose dedicated staff helped Dixie manage dementia for several years.

The Trenholm family invite friends to join in celebrating Dixie’s life at St. Paul’s United Church in Carp on Saturday May 11, 2024. 

The funeral service will be held at 4pm followed by a Celebration of Life in the church hall.

We all remember Dixie for vibrancy, her smile & “today is another day” attitude.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Ducks Unlimited Canada in Dixie’s memory to help continue their conservation efforts of the Carp Hills would be fitting and appreciated.