deirdre ellen (smitherman) nixon
Deirdre Ellen Smitherman Nixon
passed away at age 66 in Medford, Oregon on June 24, after a long and
courageous battle with cancer.Deirdre was born in Texas, the middle of five children of Bill and Jane Smitherman. They moved to Oklahoma when she was a child where she attended school including Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she became a Physical Therapist. Upon moving to Medford, Deirdre saw a need for pediatric therapy services for the under-served in the region and founded the non-profit Medford Children's Therapy Clinic. She loved her profession and her patients.
She leaves behind her husband Dr. Randal Nixon, her beautiful and creative daughter Baylie Nixon, and three surviving brothers Rex Smitherman, Jason Smitherman and Quintin Smitherman.
She was preceded in death by her beloved sister Sudie Smitherman Johnson and her parents.
Anyone wishing to honor Deirdre is encouraged to make a donation to the Medford Children's Therapy Clinic. Additionally, because Deirdre loved gardening, she urged friends and family to plant milkweed gardens to assist monarch butterfly migration.
Locations and dates for the Celebrations of Life are listed below. Please RSVP to the email indicated with the number attending.
Medford, OregonAug 26 Rhuby@mac.com.
Portland, OregonSep 20 drjewel57@gmail.com.