Dixie Norquest Setti

Dixie (Norquest) Setti was born on December 31, 1942 at home in Edinburg, TX and died on August 26, 2023 at home in San Antonio, TX. Dixie was the fifth of seven children born to Carrol and Lydia Norquest. Dixie is survived by her daughter Liana (Jerod) Ryan and grandchildren Aria and Ethan Ryan of San Antonio; brothers Carrol Jr. “Kelly” (Odie) and Neil (Virginia) Norquest; sisters Marie Sleeth and Ingrid Gardner; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Dixie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Peter Erik “Rikki” and Mark Norquest. Dixie was a humble, kind, and caring mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, musician and mentor. Growing up in a musical family, she became quite a musician herself, singing soprano and playing violin. She was educated in the Edinburg Public Schools, received a Bachelor’s in Music from North Texas, and then continued on to receive her Master’s in Music Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music. Her orchestra teaching career began at Arvada West High School in Colorado, and she retired nearly 40 years later from B.L. Garza Middle School in Edinburg. Among many unique experiences she might not share often, in the 1970s Dixie was a Regional winner and finalist in the San Francisco Opera and Metropolitan Opera auditions, respectively, singing for a summer with the Met chorus in San Francisco. She was also chosen to sing the lead soprano role in “Minnequa,” an opera written about and performed in Pueblo for Colorado’s Centennial celebration. Early in life Dixie was not sure what career she would want, but her violin performance led her through school, and singing and teaching became her true passion along the way. She was completely devoted to teaching; and sharing her love and knowledge of music was her vocation. For her, singing was fun and the most natural expression of her Christian faith. While she regularly performed professionally, she was most at peace when singing at home or at church, often with one of her sisters or niece accompanying on organ or piano or youngest brother accompanying on guitar. She was also regularly engaged in youth music and education, and spent countless hours helping to plan for and lead music and worship services, at her church. Dixie had the voice of an angel and a gentle, sweet way about her that brought comfort and emotional connection to those she loved, taught, mentored, and engaged through her performances. For this, she will be dearly missed; but, we will find peace in knowing that now she is singing with the angels. A private burial service will be held this weekend at Valley Memorial Gardens. The family is also planning a future public memorial service in the Valley. Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church’s Music and Worship Fund, at 302 S. Sugar Road, Edinburg, TX 78539, (956) 383-2647.

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Dixie Norquest Setti

August 26, 2023