Elizabeth "Bonnie" Brey PaxsonElizabeth "Bonnie" Brey Paxson - beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died peacefully in her sleep with her children nearby on February 27, 2017. She was born on October 16, 1926 to Robert N. and Jane T. Brey in Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in Philadelphia, she attended Germantown Friends School then George School where she met the love of her life, Edwin "Ted" Paxson. Upon graduating from George School, Bonnie attended the University of Pennsylvania graduating with a BS degree in biology.Bonnie and Ted were married on June 19, 1948 after Ted returned from his service in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre. After Ted finished medical school he chose to complete his residency in Burlington, VT at Mary Fletcher Hospital. Enamored with Vermont, they remained in Burlington where Ted started his pediatric practice. Bonnie and Ted lived in Burlington before moving to a beautiful old farmhouse in Charlotte. In Charlotte many of Bonnie's true passions were realized. She discovered that it was the perfect place to raise their five children. Bonnie was a "force", a highly charged, enthusiastic "doer" who had boundless energy to give toward her family and her community. Her main passions were her love of her children and animals, especially horses and dogs, her love of classical music and the arts, her legendary vegetable garden, and later creative writing and poetry. She served on numerous committees and boards supporting music including Friends of Music, UVM Lane Series, the Vermont Mozart Festival and the Vermont Youth Orchestra. Her later interest in creative writing and poetry led her to go back to school taking courses at UVM. Later in her life, her passion for music and the arts led her to assume the role of professional artist manager.After buying her first horse for her own children to learn to ride, she became the director or "DC" of the Charlotte Pony Club, a position which she held for over ten years. True to her nature, she sought to include as many children and families as she could in this wonderful experience of learning to ride and caring for horses. No matter who the children were - her own, neighbors, foster children, AFS students - she treated all with equal love, respect, abundant kindness, energy and inclusion, leaving indelible marks on their lives.Bonnie and Ted left Vermont in 1978 for Ted's medical practice, returning 19 years later to live in another beautiful, old farmhouse in Orwell. In 1998, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, with family and friends, so glad to be back in Vermont, their true home.Bonnie was predeceased by her daughter Karen, her husband Ted and her brother Robert. She is survived by her sister Mary, her children Jennifer and husband Christopher, Gretchen and husband John, Fred and wife Diane, Beth and partner Steve and Dan and wife Susan. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Megan, Chris, Erin, David, Spencer, Adam, Michael, Emily, Katie, Derek, Caroline and Mary Ellen and six great-grandchildren.A celebration of Bonnie's life will take place in Vermont in the summer of 2017.Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to Express condolences and sign the guest book.