Beverly Wuntch

Beverly Ann Wuntch passed away in the presence of her family, on Sunday July 26, 2015. She was born in Wausau, Wisconsin to Mary Ross Burnstein and Harry Ben Burnstein on March 19, 1928. Beverly moved to Ellsworth, Wisconsin with her family when she was eight years old and her family opened a dry goods store. Beverly enjoyed spending time with her cousins in nearby Duluth, Minn. and the Twin cities. To her cousins, Beverly was known by her nickname "Dolly", as she was slight in stature and reminded them of doll. Beverly attended the University of Minnesota where she met her loving and wonderful husband of 62 years, Israel Wuntch. When Israel returned from the service to our country, where he was stationed in Korea, he went north to claim his bride and brought Beverly to Houston, Texas. Beverly and Israel were devoted to each other and raised three sons David, Ron and Barry.As a young wife in Houston, Beverly loved and enjoyed the challenges of being involved in worthy organizations. Beverly was elected President of the Rose Caplovitz B'nai Brith chapter at its formation and later elected State President of the Woman's B'nai Brith. Beverly had many interests painting, Mah Jong , piano, jewelry making, playing cards and gardening. She served as President of the Willow Meadows Garden Club and was an accomplished Life Master Bridge Player. She was appointed to the Board of Houston Unit Contract Bridge league, was a member of the Delphian Society and a Texas delegate for President Lyndon Johnson. Dancing was always a love of Beverly and Israel's. They would meet once a month with a group of close friends who referred to themselves as "The Dance Group", which consisted of Milton and Bebe Herzog, Shirley and Bill Loeser, and Dorothy and Harold Goldstein. As an older couple they won 1st place in Marvin Zindler's Valentine Senior Olympics. Beverly always enjoyed talking to people and never met a stranger. When her eldest son David was diagnosed with schizophrenia while attending Rice University, Beverly's life changed and she became dedicated to improving mental health support for families, the mentally ill in Houston and the State of Texas. Perhaps her proudest achievement was when Nancy Runnells, Lynne Paine and she founded the "Gathering Place." A facility that provides people with mental illness a place to relax, enjoy themselves and learn life skills. The Menninger Foundation later acquired The Gathering Place to be part of their health operations and continues to provide these services today. Beverly served on many Boards such as Mental Health and Retardation, The Texas Alliance of the Mentally Ill and The Gathering Place. She was a co-founder of the Texas Alliance of the Mentally Ill and honored in 2010 by NAMI Texas for her impact on mental health care in Texas. Beverly represented the citizens of Houston in Austin with Judge Scanlan to request funding and for a Certificate of Need for the Harris County Psychiatric Hospital, which was granted. Beverly was a winner of the prestigious Jefferson Award and Ima Hogg Award along with numerous Community Civic awards. Life presented much happiness along with many challenges to Beverly, she was especially surprised that G-d gave her the strength and courage to tackle so many problems, that even she did not know that she could handle. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband Israel Wuntch; sons, David Ross Wuntch and Dr. Ronald Joseph Wuntch of Dallas, her parents Mary and Harry Burnstein and brother Milton Burnstein. She is survived by her son Barry Marc Wuntch and wife Judi; daughter-in-law Katie Wuntch of Dallas; and grandchildren Brandon Wuntch of Houston, Marcus, Zev and Rachel Wuntch of Dallas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family would like to thank her many caretaker - pals and staff at Belmont Village - West University for the personal attention and care they gave to Beverly over the last few years. We would also like to thank A*MED Hospice nurses for their care to Beverly. A graveside service will be held at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at 2:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made to any organization for the mentally ill in memory of Beverly Ann Wuntch.

Beverly Wuntch

March 19, 1928 - July 26, 2015