Margaret "Peggy" VanNuys Howard

Margaret “Peggy” VanNuys Howard, 87, of Indianapolis, died April 26, 2018 after a long illness. She was born July 1, 1930 in Sunbury, PA, the daughter of Mary Haines and Dr. John D. VanNuys. She married Frank S. “Bud” Howard and they were married for over 64 years. Peggy is survived by two daughters, Margaret “Peggy” A. Vest (Robert) of New Palestine, IN, and Susan K. Howard (Gene Frank) of Norristown, PA; three sons, David S. Howard (Sue) and Jeffrey W. Howard (Shari) both of Indianapolis, and Douglas G. Howard (Kim) of Avon, IN; a sister, Cathy Milby of Fairhope, AL; and brother, John H. VanNuys (Nancy) of Greenwood, IN; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband “Bud”; a son, Steven T. Howard; and both parents. Peggy graduated from Tudor Hall in Indianapolis in 1948, and attended Indiana University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was a member of Cottonwood Christian Church in Morgantown, IN. After the death of her 18 year old son, Steve, she became very active with the American Cancer Society where she became very involved with patient services. She served two years as President of the Marion County Unit of the American Cancer Society and twelve years on the Indiana State Board of Directors. Upon learning the former Indiana University Cyclotron was being converted to a proton therapy treatment center, Bud and Peg set about raising the necessary funds to build a facility for patients and their families. Her volunteer spirit let her and her husband, Bud, to found and build Jill’s House in Bloomington, IN, a hospitality house for patients undergoing life-saving treatments at the Midwest Proton Therapy Institute. They worked tirelessly to affect change for families undergoing cancer treatments. Jill’s House opened in 2008. A private family memorial will be held and interment will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel, 9900 Allisonville Rd., with visitation one hour prior. Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.shirleybrothers.com. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society and/or Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis. The family would also like to thank the staff of Clearvista Lake Health Campus for their care and support of both Peg and her family over the last several months.

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Margaret "Peggy" VanNuys Howard

July 1, 1930 - April 26, 2018