DUNKIRK: Lena M. Dix, 91, a resident of Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Dunkirk, formerly of Pearl Street, Forestville, died Sunday, April 12, 2026 at her residence following a lengthy illness of natural causes. She was born in the Town of Arkwright on May 2, 1934, the daughter of the late Walter and Emma (Watrous) Meadows.
Lena was a graduate of Forestville Central School, Class of 1951 and worked as a Secretary with her husband at the former Norman Dix Company, Forestville. She also worked for the late Jim Cave of Caves store in Forestville, the Grape Co-op for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fredonia and tended her own grape vineyards, along with raising cantaloupes and strawberries.
Lena was an election inspector, belonged to J. Carter Knapp American Legion Post #953, Forestville Ladies Auxiliary and was an avid blood donor. She enjoyed being with her family, working in the grapes, bowling, card club, walking around Forestville and was a world traveler.
Survivors include two daughters; Suzanne Kaliko, of Hawaii, Jennifer (James) Cruver, of Cassadaga, a son Robert (Lynette) Dix, of Forestville and a daughter-in-law Becky DIx of Silver Creek. Also surviving are a sister-in-law Jeanette “Jan” Meadows of Forestville, seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and several nieces & nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Norman Dix, whom she married on November 17, 1951 in the Forestville United Methodist Church and who died on March 11, 2014, a son James Dix, who died August 8, 2014, son-in-law Ronald Kaliko, grandson Daniel Dix, two sisters; Emma Van Valkenburg and Agnes Hilton and five brothers; Nelson, Walter “Corky”, Willis “Dutch”, Sr., Charles and infant Theodore Meadows.
Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM from where funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11AM with Rev. David Watson, pastor of Sheridan United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in in Pioneer Cemetery, Town of Hanover.
The family suggests memorials may be made either to the Forestville Fire Department, Inc. PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062, or to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. To post condolences or memories go to https://rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
