'Bunty'' Margaret Howell Wilson

(07/18/2003) ``Bunty'' Margaret Howell Wilson, DMD 1913 - 2003 Bunty was born in Wycoff, NJ, on April 1, 1913. She was a graduate of Barnard College (math major), Murray and Leone Guggenheim Dental Clinic (dental hygiene) and Tufts Dental School. She practiced dentistry in Manhattan, then was appointed the head of the CT State Health Dept.'s mobile dental unit which gave care to children in rural CT where there was a shortage of dentists. She married Rudyard Oliver Wilson and they raised two children, Martha Howell Wilson Turner DDS of Austin, TX and Peter Howell Wilson MD of Bridgewater, CT. She loved the outdoors: skiing, swimming, hiking and snow shoeing with her dogs, sailing, and gardening. Her car was a permanent convertible - when the top wore out, she did not replace it. She volunteered countless hours as a dentist, Girl Scout Leader, and as head of UNICEF fundraisers in Glastonbury, CT. She also volunteered for the Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, and was a Sunday school teacher/helper at First Church Congregational in Glastonbury, CT. She was an avid reader (until she lost her eyesight), and dog lover. She was kind, sensitive, and friendly to all. One of her patients wrote about her in the following letter to the editor in 02/13/1947 NY Times: To the Editor: At last I've had some fun out of skiing - from reading Ira Henry Freeman's hilarious article on the subject (``Six Fables About Skiing - And the Facts''). Mr. Freeman did, however, forget to mention the ski bore. The one I know best is a dentist who cares more about snow on the slopes than molars in the mouth. First propping my mouth open so I can't reply, she embarks on a saga of the slalom or a paean of praise for Mount Pico. Give me novocaine every time. - Virgil Fort, Tampa, FL Bunty died unexpectedly, instantly and quietly (her heart stopped) at home in Austin while seated at the dinner table with her son-in-law, Timmy Turner whom she adored; her grandson, Rud Nast; and her daughter, Martha; with Shadow, the family dog lying by her side. A memorial service will be held July 19th at 11:30 in Treadwell, NY at the Croton Union Cemetery. Her ashes will be buried there with those of her late husband. In case of rain, the service will be held at the Treadwell Methodist Church.