Read Lonna Rae Chacón (Hixson)'s Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Lonna Rae Chacón (Hixson)

Auburn, California

September 4, 1940 - July 14, 2019

Sep 4, 1940 - Jul 14, 2019

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a donation to Help with Recording Lonna's Songs.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

It is with great sadness that the family of Lonna Rae (Hixson) Chacón announces her passing. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, at the conclusion of an inspiring 10-month cancer journey. (Learn more here: http://bit.ly/LonnaGoFundMe)

Lonna was born in 1940 in Santa Rosa to Ted and Majel Hixson. The family moved to Chico soon thereafter, where her brother Tyler was born. Ted and Majel were musicians who enjoyed playing music with friends and performing at local dances and events. The family also enjoyed the outdoors, and camping, hiking, fishing and hunting in Northern California. Lonna was a Girl Scout, and ultimately became a troop leader, following in her mother's footsteps. This was the beginning of her lifelong love of a special place in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Graeagle, which she passed on to her friends and family.

She graduated from Chico High School in 1958, and then attended Oregon State University, where she graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Recreation. After returning to Chico, she studied the Spanish language and won a scholarship to a language immersion and cultural exchange program to Mexico, where she became fluent in Spanish. She married John (Juan) Chacón in Chico in 1964. She taught elementary school in Yuba City, before and during Juan's 2-year military service including duty in Vietnam, until daughter Lisa was born in 1967 and son Stephen came along in 1969. The family relocated to Rancho Cordova, to be near Juan's siblings so that the children could grow up alongside their cousins. In the early 70's the family moved to Rocklin, when Lonna began working at Woodbridge School in Roseville. There she taught kindergarten in one of California's earliest bilingual Spanish-English education programs. She went on to spend 28 years at Woodbridge, teaching generations of Roseville’s kindergartners and 1st graders -- reading, writing, arithmetic, and life skills for success.

To know Lonna, was to love her laughter and beautiful singing voice. She was an accomplished singer, songwriter and performer, who published a delightful children’s album titled “Sing for Joy with Lonna.” She created these songs for her classrooms, to instill positive values and teach important concepts to young children such as self-esteem, how to be a friend, and responsibility. This timeless album appeals to children from 3 to 93, and will remain available digitally on iTunes and Amazon. Lonna also wrote dozens and dozens of scripture and gospel songs, which have uplifted her church communities for over forty years since she became a born-again Christian.

Lonna will be dearly missed by; daughter Lisa Chacón, son Stephen Chacón (Denise), her grandchildren, and many, many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and former students.

On Sunday, July 28th, the family will host a viewing at 2:00 pm at Roseville Community Church, followed by a celebration of Lonna’s life at 3:30 pm at Bridgeway Christian Church in Roseville. On Monday, July 29th at 11:00 am, she will be buried at Glen Oaks Cemetery in Chico, alongside her parents.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Please consider a donation to Help with Recording Lonna's Songs.

$925.00

of $2,000 goal

46 %

Learn more & give