Anna "Ann" M. Gascoigne Nixon

AIKEN, SC - Our dear Ann entered into rest Tuesday, February 7th. She was a wonderful person, always wanting to do things for others. Born in Toledo, OH, to William and Florence Morris, she grew up on her grandfather’s farm in Kenton, then moved to Cleveland to get a nursing degree at St. Luke’s Hospital and became a devoted nurse, working at hospitals and schools for many years. She also was active in community theater and was a very talented actress. Eventually, Ann and her first husband, Richard Gascoigne, bought a horse farm they named Fox Run Farms. Ann learned to ride, as did their daughter, Elisabeth (Bitsy). Ann won many ribbons for side saddle riding and was a charter member of the International Side Saddle Organization and the first person in the state of Ohio to be qualified to be both judge and instructor. At Fox Run Farms they boarded horses and gave riding lessons and for many years produced “The Wonderful World of Horses,” for which Ann wrote the scripts, at the Geauga County Fair. After Richard died, Ann and Bitsy and staff continued to run the farm. Then Ann had the good luck to meet James Nixon! Soon they were married and enjoyed many activities in the area, including local reenactments of the Revolutionary War and the Civil war, dressed in carefully handcrafted costumes. After 5 years in Ohio, Ann and Jim decided to move south to an area in which horses were a big part of life and chose Aiken, SC. They found a home in Fox Chase and had a horse and carriage and could ride the trails. They joined the Aiken Driving Club and they loved the weather, the interesting things to do, the restaurants and especially the people and hosted many parties – and dearly loved their little dog, Gus. As they grew older and could no longer participate in many local activities, Ann and Jim bought a house in a living area for senior citizens. Ann always loved cooking and baking and had a large collection of recipes and cookbooks. She continued to enjoy making food gifts for friends and for people who had been helpful to them, as well as knitting and crocheting. There was no end to her wish to do things for others. Ann will be very much missed by her husband Jim, her daughter, Elisabeth and son in law, Charlie, and by the many people who knew her. Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 13th at the Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc. Then she will be sent for burial in Chardon, OH. Contributions in Ann’s Memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Anna "Ann" M. Gascoigne Nixon, please visit our flower store.