Dorothea Ax

Dorothea Lois Kayhart Ax, 90, passed away at Equinox Terrace in Manchester March 2, 2018 surrounded by love. Born in Kinnelon, New Jersey on October 11, 1927, to Watson Kayhart and Leonora Tintle Kayhart, Dorothea graduated from Butler High School in 1945 and Bucknell University in 1949, where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. Dorothea married Kurt Ax in 1950. The couple had two children, Kathi and Kenneth while living in Wayne, NJ. In 1965 Dorothea and Kurt took the plunge and moved their family to Vermont for a new way of life. They built and co-owned with Dot and Al Chamberlin the Ax-Chamber Motel which went on to become Northshire Motel. They also operated the Ax Lodge bed & breakfast out of their home. In 1973 they purchased a Montgomery Ward franchise, which evolved into Brook Valley Appliance in Manchester. This business is currently owned and operated by their son, Ken. Dorothea was a member of the First Congregational Church in Manchester where she was the Sunday school superintendent for years. She also attended the Shoreham and Vergennes Congregational Churches. As a dedicated community member she served on the Board of Trustees of Manchester Health Services and as Executive Director of Northshire Day Care. As a couple, they were very active in the Manchester Lion's Club. Never shy of adventure, Dorothea and Kurt enjoyed years of skiing, antique car restoring and touring and more recently boating while living on Lake Champlain in Bridport, Vermont. Later in life, Dorothea traveled, took flying lessons and squeezed in some hot air ballooning over the Serengeti of Africa. Her final years were spent back in Manchester closer to family at which time she was embraced by the loving staff at Equinox Terrace. Dorothea is survived by her daughter, Kathi Ax Reed and Chet of Mansfield, Pennsylvania; her son, Kenneth Kurt Ax and Barbara of Manchester, Vermont; seven grandchildren: Christopher Reed (Katie), Joshua Reed (Patty & daughter Isabella), Rachel Ax, Morgan Ax (Alex Scully & daughter Eloise), Sarah Reed, Anders Ax and Benjamin Reed. She was predeceased by her husband, Kurt. A memorial service will be held at Equinox Terrace, Manchester, Vermont on Saturday, March 10th at 2:30pm. A private graveside gathering will take place at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothea's honor may be mailed to the First Congregational Church in Manchester, Vermont. A memorial service will be held at Equinox Terrace, Manchester, Vermont on Saturday, March 10th at 2:30pm. A private graveside gathering will take place at a time to be determined.