Marion Bennett Duncan

Marion Bennett Duncan passed away June 4, 2012. She was 93. Mrs. Duncan grew up in Jesup, GA where she graduated as valedictorian. She attended Georgia State College for Women (GSCW) on full scholarship, with her meals paid by her grandmother’s Civil War Widow’s pension. She majored in biology, and served on the student council, honor council, and the editorial staff. After receiving her BA summa cum laude, she continued her studies at the University of Georgia, earning her Masters in Botany. It was there that she met Wilbur H. Duncan, a botany professor. They were married in 1941. Following the hiatus of World War II, Marion and Wilbur returned to Athens where they remained for the rest of their lives. In 1952 Marion and Wilbur moved to “Transplantation”, a 33-acre parcel of land on the outskirts of Athens. It was there that they nurtured their family and a great assortment of native and cultivated plants. Mrs. Duncan was a dedicated member of the League of Women Voters, the Garden Club of Georgia, and The Piedmont Gardeners, a Cub Scout Den Mother, active in PTA and Girl Scouts, and a Docent at the Georgia Museum of Art. Marion co-authored, with her late husband Wilbur, the Smithsonian Guide to Seaside Plants, and Wildflowers of the Eastern United States and Trees of the Southeast with the UGA Press. In 2000, Mrs. Duncan was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award by Georgia College and State University (GSCW). Mrs. Duncan had a life-long passion for swimming, born of hot summer days in Jesup, which she continued to pursue three times a week until a few months ago, assisted by her long-time friend, Gloria Wright. Mrs. Duncan suffered from increasing dementia over the past few years yet she was graceful to the end, dying as she lived: with love, dignity, humor, and poise; the deeply rooted and innate characteristics that were part of her very core. Mrs. Duncan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Mack and Julie Duncan, Athens, GA, daughter Lucia Duncan, Atlanta, GA, son Douglas Duncan, Arlington, VA; grandchildren Laramie Duncan, Boston, MA, Amber Duncan, Arlington, VA, Laura Duncan and husband Micah Jessup, Knoxville, TN, Ross Duncan, Alameda, CA; and great-grandson Luka Duncan Juric, Arlington, VA. An open memorial service will be held on July 28, 3:00 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 780 Timothy Road, Athens, GA 30606. The family requests contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in lieu of flowers. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory, Elberton, is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Marion Bennett Duncan.