Obituary of Margaret R. Ames

Dr. Margaret "Peg" Rathbun Ames, 92, pediatrician and public health physician and lifelong resident of Rochester and Mendon, NY, died December 6, 2009, at St. Johns Home. Peg Rathbun Ames was born in Rochester, NY, in 1917, graduated from Madison High School followed by college and Medical School at the University of Rochester, operated a private practice as a pediatrician, prior to graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Masters in Public Health. Peg worked at the Monroe County Health Department from 1955-76 eventually retiring as Assistant Director. Following her retirement, Peg worked as a physician at St. John's Nursing Home as well as volunteered at the Mendon, NY library. A member of a local quilting club, Peg often surprised various family members with her creative and beautiful quilt gifts. Motivated by her great love for horses, Peg, purchased and subsequently built a beautiful farm in Mendon, NY, where she resided with her husband, the late Dr. Wendell Ames. With the help of her late husband, Peg transformed much of her farm land to a sanctuary for birds and wild animals as natural habitats diminished. This included the planting of over 1200 evergreen trees, now fully mature, and the addition of a pond. In 2000, Peg generously donated 34 acres to the Genesee Land Trust to secure a conservation easement for the future and providing protection for natural wetland and woodland habitats. Peg is survived by her nephews and niece and their families: John and Kerry Rathbun of Florence, SC, Mary Anne Rathbun MacCaughelty, MD and Robert MacCaughelty, PhD of Charlotte, NC, and Tom and Becky Rathbun of Bedford, TX; four grand nieces, Heather Rathbun-Schubert of Florham Park, New Jersey, Johanna and Victoria Rathbun of Bedford, TX, Jenifer Deese, of Charlotte, NC, two grand nephews, David Rathbun of Dallas, TX, and Matthew MacCaughelty of Charlotte, NC; three 3 great grand nieces, and 1 great grand nephew. Donations in her memory are requested to either St. John's Home or the Genesee Land Trust. Memorial service to be held at a later date.