Agnes Denune Paxton

Agnes Denune Paxton, 89, affectionately called Ronnie by her friends, died at home in Oberlin, OH on December 26, 2016. She was born in Columbus, OH on July 19, 1927. She was a 1945 graduate of Upper Arlington High School. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Education in 1948. She was married to John Arnold Paxton in Columbus on June 29, 1949. They moved from Columbus to Oberlin, OH in 1952. She later received her M.A. in Education after attending Oberlin College and Cleveland State University in the 1970s, after which she became a practicing Gestalt therapist. Lastly, she received a degree from The School of Theology in Sewanee, TN through the University of the South.

She was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin and a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland, OH. God was ever present in her life.

Ronnie loved her rescue dogs and cats. She enjoyed classic movies, Star Wars when it came out in the theaters, and the Harry Potter books and movies. An avid reader her whole life, her favorite book as a child was titled, At the Back of the North Wind, and her reading interests as an adult included works by Iris Murdoch and Ursula K. LeGuin. She loved reading aloud to her children stories by C.S. Lewis and Frank L. Baum. Her favorite color was green and her eyes were blue. She enjoyed her travels abroad to England, Scotland, Israel, and Cuba.  A lifelong supporter of the feminist movement, she encouraged all of her children and grandchildren to pursue their interests and dreams.

She is survived by her six children, Renee Denune Paxton of Bangor, ME, J. Daniel Paxton of Oberlin, OH, Heather Drury Paxton of Oberlin, OH, Kathryn Arnold Paxton-Hill of Havre de Grace, MD, Timothy Christopher Paxton of Oberlin, OH, Joel Brooks Paxton of Turners Falls, MA; and by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband John Arnold Paxton 10 years to the day; parents Perry Perdue Denune and Agnes (nee Drury) and two brothers Wilbur L. Denune and John R. Denune.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 18 2017 at 1pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 162 S. Main St., Oberlin. The Rev. Brian K. Wilbert will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 162 S. Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074.

 Service Information