Adele W. Paxson

Who was Adele W. Paxson?

Adele Warden Paxson was an American socialite, philanthropist, conservationist, and a Champion breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses.

Born Adele Corning Warden, she was the daughter of Helen Corning and her husband Clarence Warden. On January 3, 1936, she married attorney Henry Douglas Paxson, a partner in a Philadelphia law firm with Richardson Dilworth. The couple had two daughters, Mary Helen and Sally. Their firstborn, Mary Helen, died in an automobile accident in France. Although Adele Paxson is frequently recorded as Mrs. Henry D. Paxson, her husband was known as Doug, short for his middle name.

With a lifelong passion for music, engendered by her mother, Adele Paxson was Chairperson of Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts and with her husband established the Bucks County Opera. She also served as Chairperson of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. In 1993 she received the Voice Education Research Awareness Award from the Voice Foundation of Philadelphia.