 Dixie Peterson Kelley is a native of Fort Myers, Florida. However her parents were both born in Sweden and immigrated to the United States in the late 1800's.
Prior to marrying Arthur W. Kelley in 1950, Dixie worked in the insurance industry. She began working at Kelley's Gardens on Winkler Avenue with her husband when their three children Drew, Kent, and Piper were babies. Her duties there included assistant bookkeeper, secretary and salesperson. She also worked as a floral designer with her mother-in-law Isabelle, at Kelley's Florist in down-town Fort Myers.
Once the children were in school Dixie secured employment at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for a period of 12 years. After leaving Government employment she returned to work with her husband at the nursery. Then in 1983 she and Arthur sold the main location and moved operations to the current location on Hendry Creek Drive. The business name was changed to A.W. Kelley's Gardens, Inc.
Currently Dixie is Secretary/Treasurer of the corporation where she continues to oversee daily activities. She and Arthur have built many good business relationships over the years. Interacting with the customers and finding out "what they've been up to" is still important to her. Dixie and Mr. Kelley were married for 55 years until his death in 2005. . |
