Margaret Miles Durant Dunstan

Margaret Miles Durant Dunstan, 78, of Augusta, Georgia passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on the morning of Saturday, November 22. She was surrounded by family, flowers, and her collection of art.

Margaret was born in Pinopolis, South Carolina to Margaret and Edward Durant. She was the eldest of four children, and had two sisters, Nan, Tally, and one brother, Edward. She spent her childhood outdoors, and it’s where her imagination came alive.

After moving to Augusta in 4th grade, Margaret attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy where she ended up meeting the man who would become her future husband. She was a part of the first graduating class of St. Mary’s in 1961 and went on to attend Aquinas before pursuing a psychology degree at Georgia Southern University where she was a Phi Mu.

Following college, she married the love of her life, Richard Dunstan, also known lovingly as “boo”. The two were a force to be reckoned with, equal parts quiet lawyerly wit and effortless creative charm. They had four children together, Richard, Charles, Miles and Maggie. Margaret was an active participant in her children’s school activities, and also spent time working at Aquinas as development director.

Margaret was an avid gardener and loved spending time in her yard with family and friends. The fruits of her labor did not go to waste, as she was an equally great chef! If you think her talents stop there, you’re wrong. Margaret had a phenomenal fashion sense, which really came to life every Halloween when she stepped into one of her many alter egos.

She lived boldly and on her own terms. She crossed oceans to meet people she met virtually during a time when the world felt far apart, wrote poems, and showed a kind of strength that was both gentle and unbreakable. Her faith was one of the strongest parts of her life and shaped how she moved through the world. Margaret was unique in every way. Her life was a testament to independence, creativity, and connection.

She is survived by her four children, James Richard Dunstan Jr. (Kathryn), Charles Gordon Dunstan (Jennifer), Daniel Miles Dunstan (Isabella), and Margaret Durant Dunstan. And her five grandchildren Charlie, Mills, Durant, Bella and Miles. And her in-laws Barney and Virginia Dunstan, Brenda Durant, Rick Sroufe, Dot Mooney, Connie Snead, Lisa and Jay Murray and multiple nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sarah Beirne “Tally” Durant, and husband, James Richard Dunstan Sr.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to plant something in your own garden, share a poem with someone who needs it, or make a small donation to a local faith based community program.

Funeral mass and celebration of life will be on Tuesday, December 2nd at 11:00am at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church.

Florist, please deliver to the church.