Cynthia Lynne (Dixon) Godin
Cynthia Lynne (Dixon) Godin passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Oak Grove Township, near Prescott.
Cynthia was born Sept. 15, 1962, in Ladysmith, and later moved to nearby Holcombe.
She studied piano all through her school years, gave recitals, served as organist at the Holcombe United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church in Cornell, accompanied other musicians and performed solo piano, at the Wisconsin District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals.
After high school, Cynthia studied piano performance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, for one year.
Cynthia met Bill Godin Oct. 8, 1983, through mutual friends, at a party in Minneapolis, Minn. They started dating regularly and were married the following August.
She was employed as a health unit coordinator at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., followed by a position as an administrative associate for the History of Medicine Department at the University of Minnesota.
While raising three boys and working full-time, Cynthia completed a bachelor’s of arts degree in child psychology at the University of Minnesota, and a master’s of arts degree in human development and services administration, from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis, Minn. Cynthia continued to advance her career with each degree, eventually ending up in the field of mental health policy.
While employed at Hennepin County, Cynthia developed a new program to help patients with a co-occurring mental health diagnosis and chemical dependency diagnosis, transition from welfare into the workforce. Cynthia named the program IRIS, for Integrated Resources for Independence and Self-sufficiency.
She left Hennepin County for the Minnesota Department of Health, where she started as a mental health Medicaid program consultant in 2001. She was promoted to mental health Medicaid supervisor in October 2006, and in October 2011, Cynthia was promoted to mental health Medicaid policy director.
In addition to directing the department, she worked with the assistant commissioner of behavioral health, to write policy and legislation. Throughout her career, Cynthia applied her excellent technical writing skills to policy and grant writing.
Then in December of 2013, she decided to pursue her interest in fiction writing and left her director position with the state. Cynthia has written poetry and prose in various genres. Her most recent work is a series of short novels, with a plan for self-publication.
Cynthia had various jobs during this time, and in October 2016, was offered a position as director of programs for Cradle of Hope, a non-profit, pro-life organization in Minnesota, helping pregnant women in crisis. It’s estimated that Cynthia helped save the lives of 31,480 moms and babies, while at Cradle of Hope.
She is survived by her husband – William “Bill” Keith Godin; sons – Keith William (Xing Fan), Kyle André (Nilufar) and Aaron Albert (Anastasia); four grandchildren; brother – Dale Edward Dixon (Cheryl); and sister – Elizabeth “Beth” Bonn Meddaugh (Wade).
She was preceded in death by her mother – Bonita “Bonnie” Lorraine (Bonn) Dixon; and her father – Albert “Al” Dale Dixon.
A Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 2, at the Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Prescott. Visitation was one hour prior to the Mass, at the church.
The graveside committal followed at 3 p.m., at the Holcombe Cemetery. A celebration of life followed from 4-6 p.m., at Eastbay Lodge in Holcombe.
Memorials will be used to continue her passions and can be directed to: Cradle of Hope, 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 104, Roseville, MN 55113 or Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center, 1108 Port Arthur Rd., Ladysmith, WI 54848.
Services were entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Homes in Prescott.
