Margaret Wilbourn

Margaret Buchanan Wilbourn, 83, a life long educator, whose passions included history, animals, and environmental issues, died Monday, May 12, 2008 at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. She had recently resided at The Willows at Meadow Branch in Winchester. Her husband, Patrick C. Wilbourn, a longtime road builder and real estate developer in Leesburg, Va. preceded her in death. Born in Bluefield, W. Va., the second child of “Buc” and Ethel Buchanan, Mrs. Wilbourn moved to Middleburg, VA. In 1947 after completed her undergraduate studies at Mary Washington College and her Masters of Education at the University of Maryland. Her first teaching position was at the old Aldie School in Aldie, VA. In 1963 she began a 10-year tenure at The Potomac School in McLean, VA. Here her passion for animals grew through her associations with the late Art Buchwald and his annual pet shows at the home of the late Robert Kennedy. Before her retirement in 1976, Mrs. Wilbourn taught first grade at Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg, Va. She had a unique ability to teach children to read both English and Latin. Mrs. Wilbourn was a member of The Church of Our Savior Episcopal church at Oatlands. She spent her later years avidly perusing her historical interests through he cherished memberships in both The Daughters of The American Revolution, and The Confederate Dames. She was an active member in both the local and national chapters of the Humane Society and was environmentally proactive through her associations with both the National Geographic Society and the Smisonian Institute. Surviving are her son, James S. McCanless, of Front Royal, Va., one granddaughter, and a great-grand daughter. Funeral services will be held at 1p.m. on Thursday May 15, 2008 at the Church of Our Savior at Oatlands with Rev. Elijah White officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Loudoun P.O. Box 601 Leesburg, VA 20178. Arrangements By: Loudoun Funeral Chapels, Leesburg.