In memory of Abbie Buxton, LPC, LMFT   In memory of Abbie Buxton, longtime DMCA Board member who died in January 2005, DMCA has donated $500 to start an Abbie Buxton Educational Endowment Fund with Texas Counseling Association. The purpose of the fund is to provide professional development awards for the following purposes:  (1) Academic awards for course work toward completion of graduate degrees in counseling, human development, or a directly related field; (2) special activities, such as original research, special conference attendance, specialized study; and (3) other professional development or continuing education activities. The base endowment must reach $10,000 and earning interest before these awards are given.  John Shirley, Region IV Director for TCA has matched the $500 so there is already $1,000 of the $10,000 collected. Abbie's husband, Wayne Buxton, received the Presidential Award for Abbie at the TCA Convention held in El Paso, November 2-5, 2005. Donations to the Abbie Buxton Educational Endowment Fund can be made in any amount to: Texas Counseling Association,  1204 San Antonio, Ste 201, Austin, TX 78701.  Please note on your check "Abbie Buxton Endowment"

About Abbie's Life

Mary Abigail Buxton: Caring special ed teacher, counselor 10:07 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 By CHRISTY A. ROBINSON / The Dallas Morning News As an educator and counselor, Mary Abigail Buxton of Richardson touched many lives with her caring spirit. "We've gotten accolades from clients she'd seen who just talk up about her, how sweet she was," said her son, David Buxton of Plano. Ms. Buxton, 67, died May 9 of a brain tumor discovered in December. A memorial service was Saturday at Allen Heights Baptist Church in Allen. She taught in the special education department at Aldridge Elementary and Wilson Middle schools in Plano, and worked as a reading and special education teacher at Jackson Middle School in Garland. Born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 2, 1938, Ms. Buxton grew up near Rockville, Md. She married Wayne Buxton in 1957 at age 19 and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from George Washington University in 1959. She then began teaching in Rockville. Ms. Buxton, who was known as Abbie, started her career with the Plano school district as a substitute teacher in the mid-1970s, her son said. She was soon hired full time in the special education department. From 1979 until the late 1980s, Ms. Buxton taught in the Garland school district. She earned a master's of liberal arts degree from Southern Methodist University and a master's degree in counselor education from the University of North Texas in 1988. She began her private practice as a counselor in 1992. Ms. Buxton served as president and senator of the Dallas Metro Counseling Association and was on the Counselor's Legislative Involvement Committee board of directors. She was a member of Lakeway United Methodist Church in Pottsboro, Texas. Ms. Buxton enjoyed going to a lake home at Texoma with her husband, gardening and attending the opera and symphony with friends, her son said. "She was very outgoing and very sweet. She seemed to care about everybody," he said. "She was probably one of the nicest people I've ever met." In addition to her husband and son, Ms. Buxton is survived by another son, Glenn Buxton of Wylie; sisters Elizabeth Fraser and Laurie Gifford of Baltimore, Md., and Jeannie O'Halloran of French Creek, W.Va.; a brother, Daniel O'Halloran of Los Angeles; and two grandchildren. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 560089, Dallas, Texas 75356. E-mail carobison@dallasnews.com