Contributions for Bunny's memory can be made to: The Rollstone Foundation PO Box 19 Bayport, NY 11705 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

Dolores Helen "Bunny" Thaxter, 76, of West Islip, NY, passed away on April 3, 2024. She was born on March 27, 1948, in Jamaica, Queens, NY. The oldest of eight of the late John D. and Dolores V. Gordon, also of West Islip, NY. Bunny found joy in spending time with her family and friends, celebrating all of life's events. Bunny knew all of the extended families’ birthdays and special occasions, and showed compassion and love for all. Bunny became the social calendar and the poetry writer for the vast extended families. She loved to read voraciously, travel and visit new places and had traveled to several countries. Bunny's favorite destinations were finding antique shops, comfortable places to read, and casinos. Bunny was also a proud member of and serving the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 7, Suffolk County. She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in West Islip, NY. Being a caring and compassionate person, she pursued both a BA and MS in Social Work from Dowling College (Oakdale, NY). Bunny had a successful career with the Suffolk County Department of Social Services; Adult Protective Services assisting the eldest of those who needed guidance and support in their golden years. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard E. Thaxter, Jr, and her children Richard III and Christine (Gollmer), Michael and Cathrine (Teufel), Matthew and Diane (Winthrop), and her grandchildren: Sean and Chastity, Alaina, Cassandra, Steven, Erin, Cara, and Andrew. Bunny is also survived by her siblings: John and Diane (White), Kathleen Barnes and the late Stephen Bekman, Kevin and Maureen (McNamara), Brian and Annmarie (Tirino), Eileen and Frank Maffei, Thomas and Carol (Paprocki), and Timothy and Amy (Kearney). Bunny also loved her 19 nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 200 East Main St., East Islip, NY; 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, West Islip, NY on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 9:30 am. Interment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions for Bunny's memory can be made to the Rollstone Foundation, or St. Jude’s Hospital.