Gertrude "Dixie" Henderson

Gertrude Elizabeth Henderson, AKA Dixie passed away Monday evening March 9, 2026 at 100 plus 6 months old. Dixie was born in Poland on September 14, 1925. She was 14 years old when Germany began WWII in Poland. Her family were all separated and she survived many years running and hiding to stay alive and not be captured. She ended up in Germany after the war around the age of 19 and found a job working as an interpreter for the United States. She then obtained a domestic worker Visa and made her home in Canada. In the 1960's, she made it to America and finally made her home in Davis, California. In 1975 she married Delbert Henderson, who was the Dean of the Agriculture Department at UC Davis University. After his retirement, he become one of the Ambassadors for the United States Water and Agriculture department concentrating on irrigation to teach third world countries. Dixie traveled, in her lifetime, to over 51 countries and stayed for long periods of time with her husband as he taught in places like Egypt, Spain, Sri Lanka, Africa and others countries around the world. They retired in Rancho Murietta and when Delbert passed in 2011, Dixie moved to Eskaton Village Roseville where she bought a home. Dixie and her husband were generous donors to UC Davis Eye Center and to the UC Davis Agriculture Department as well as other charities. Dixie loved to paint and draw. Sadly she had to stop because of her macular degeneration. Dixie loved small dogs and hearing birds in her garden. Her dog companion, Eliza, was by her side when she passed away. Dixie joins her husband Delbert Henderson, her mother and father, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Dixie was loved by her nieces, nephews and many friends. Dixie had loving caregivers watching over her.