Bunty was born prematurely, in Plymouth, in October 1938. Given the birth name Oithona Shaguine, she was only a few days old and dressed in swan’s down hood and jacket when her elder sister Averill likened her to a ‘Bunty rabbit’ and so, the baby was fondly named from thereon.

Bunty, daughter to a Royal Navy Police Force father, attended a convent school in Plymouth. It was at a famous Furry dance held at Helston Grammar School, Cornwall, where she was to first meet her future life partner, Richard. It wasn’t until in the Sixth Form, when pupil numbers reduced and there was less segregation between boys and girls, that Bunty and Richard got to know one another. Bunty became Head Girl and Richard was a Prefect. It was on a whim that Richard asked Bunty to join him and some pals at the beach, where they rode their bikes, swam, and lit bonfires; began their lifetime’s relationship.

Bunty studied English at the University of Southampton, where quite by chance Richard was also studying. Richard proposed to Bunty on their Graduation and they were married a year later, moved into a flat in Southampton and acquired the first of their many beloved Cocker Spaniels.

Bunty started her teaching career at the Sainte Union Convent in Southampton. Around three years later, upon Richard securing a job in Aberystwyth, the couple and their dog moved to Wales and Bunty began teaching English in a Welsh-speaking school in Tregaron. Another three years later, and promotion for Richard, the couple moved to Nottingham. Following a short time teaching in a school in Nether Street, Beeston, Bunty secured a job at Nottingham Girls High School, where she was known for her commanding knowledge and understanding of literature and a keen intellect, which she dedicated to her students. After some years, Bunty felt that the job was not challenging enough and so decided to leave, securing the Headship of a private establishment, Dagfa House in Beeston. From there, and having taught the daughter of then Headmaster of Trent College and knowing that he was seeking a replacement in the English department, Bunty was appointed to her post at Trent College which according to her husband Richard, she found the most rewarding and certainly the happiest of her all her career.

Bunty brought a ‘something extra’, with her organised visits to plays in Stratford, Nottingham and Derby, speakers at her Art Society like Willy Whitelaw and the novelist (and former pupil at the High School), Julie Myerson, the local MP to name just a few. Upon her retirement. Jonathan Lee, the then Head, asked Bunty to continue to work part-time which she did for three more years. One

colleague from Trent wrote: “Instead of drifting with the flow Bunty had such energy and strength that she made things happen. She made an impact on everyone who knew her for her capacity for gentleness and sensitivity for the vulnerable”.

Bunty and Richard lived ten happy years in Sawley before moving to Sandiacre, where they remained. Bunty was famed for her dinner dates; she loved to entertain friends and she loved to organise trips to the open-air theatre at Tolethorpe which she ran for more than twenty years. Her last visit was organised for July 2024.

On retirement Bunty joined the Village Leisure Club for keep-fit classes and made another circle of friends, who cite her “generosity of spirit” and acknowledged her as a wonderful wife – “smart, fearless, supportive”.

A life lived to the full in a service to teaching, to friendships and, above all, to Richard over sixty-three and a half years of marriage and seventy plus of knowing one another.