Margaret Peggy de Forest Burrell Wells, 102, of Columbus passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010 in Laurelwoods in Columbus.
Born in LaPorte, Ind., she was the daughter of the late David De Forest Burrell and Margaret Yonker North Burrell and widow of the late Joseph Willard Wells, who died in 1974. Mrs. Wells was a graduate of Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., librarian at College of Art and Architecture, Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., office of Clarence S. Stein, architect in New York City, W. and J. Sloane in New York City. She taught history and appreciation of art at Norfolk Branch of College of William and Mary (now Old Dominion College). She did remedial reading in elementary schools and had been on museum boards and lectured on art subjects.
She and her husband moved to Tryon in 1961 and after his death in 1973, she moved to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and later returned in 1988 with her sister, Catharine “Kitty” Burrell.
Mrs. Wells traveled extensively and especially enjoyed her trips to Europe. She was always active and had many interests. She authored and published two books, “R & R in Europe” and “The First 100 Years of My Life.”
Surviving is a niece, Virginia Burrell Carter Nickel of Holland, Michigan, great-nephews Howard Walker, James Walker, William Walker, William Carter III, Charles Carter and great niece Deborah Carter.
A funeral was held Tuesday, February 2, 2010 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with Rev. Frederick Holck officiating. Burial was in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel Tryon.