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Kathy Edwards Bunty, nurse educator

August 10, 2014

Kathy Edwards Bunty went to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, from complications of an acute leukemia. Kathy was the daughter of Horace and Jean Edwards of Greensboro, Md.

Born in Milford, Kathy lived all her childhood in the Greensboro area. Kathy was a farm girl who loved the freedom of open spaces. Kathy was a member of the Greensboro Baptist Church where she was raised to love the Lord and treasure the people who came into her life. Kathy's greatest joys included being a mom to her beloved son, Kristopher Charles Bunty, and being a wife to her husband of 32 years, Dennis Rudolf Bunty.

Kathy's parents, her beloved sister, Linda Edwards Hoffheins and her baby Brother Glenn Alan Edwards were a loving family. When Kathy talked about her life on the family farm she used one word magical. Kathy loved her family more than anything else, and often said her life could not have been more wonderful. She felt truly blessed.

She attended North Caroline High School and was active in student council and served as president for the NCHS Class of 1972. She was the Caroline County Farm Queen in 1971 and was the first runner-up in the state competition. She was the VFW Poppy Queen and was the Maryland Dairy Princess in 1979.

In 1975, at age 20, she graduated from the Milford School of Nursing as a registered nurse. She graduated from Salisbury University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in nursing and went on to George Mason University to receive a master’s degree as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in 1995. Her post-masters education included graduating in 2000 from the George Washington University with a degree as a family nurse practitioner. Her nursing PhD studies included studies at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and George Mason University.

When diagnosed with acute leukemia in 2010, she had completed all her PhD coursework and was writing her dissertation which was focused on Type 2 Diabetes and provider communication. Her other nursing positions included hospice care, emergency/trauma, diabetes, internal medicine, work at the Department of Medicine at George Washington University, nurse practitioner at the Joseph House Clinic in Salisbury, faculty at George Mason University teaching nurse practitioner students and medical students in settings that served the poor and underserved.

She was the director of Medicare Health Support Long Term Care Program and a diabetes educator with Healthways. Her last position before becoming ill was as a diabetes nurse educator with Eagle Alliance at Andrews Air Force Base where she was working to develop diabetes programs for U.S. Air Force.

She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Lambda Eta Chapter (Nursing's National Honor Society), The American Nurse Association, The American Diabetes Association, The American Association of Diabetes Educators, The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and was certified by the ANCC as an Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, Dennis R. Bunty; her beloved son Kristopher Charles Bunty; and her cherished sister Linda Edwards Hoffheins. She is also survived by her beloved niece, daughter of Linda and Lee Hoffheins, Kimberly Marie Hoffheins. Others surviving include her cousins Barbara Browne Miller and Carl William "Billy" Browne and families; her best friend Vivian Short; her mother-in law Margaret Bunty; and many other dear friends and cherished family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Glenn Alan Edwards; her paternal grandparents, Kellor and Mattie Edwards of Greensboro; her maternal grandparents, Early Roscoe Calloway and Marie Gillespie Calloway of Milford.

Her life direction included living life to the fullest, loving her family, helping others, always learning, honoring her parents and loving the Lord. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Edwards Family Nursing Scholarship for RN students from Caroline County that are attending Chesapeake College. Kathy always said "my life has been wonderful; if it ends tomorrow, I can only say it has been a great ride - I have had a life full of blessings, joy and love. The Lord has filled my life with many moments of happiness and I am grateful beyond words."

A funeral service for Kathy will be held Sunday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m., at the Greensboro Baptist Church in Greensboro. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service. Burial will private. To share memories or send condolences to the family please visit www.fleegleandhelfenbein.com.

 

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