On World Diabetes Day, A Tribute to Mary Hunt

The diabetes community lost another member recently.  I knew her as Mary Hunt, and she died at age 66.  She had been hospitalized for illness recently, so her passing was not a complete surprise to her family, but its always sad when we lose someone of any age.  Her husband Dave shared the news via email the other day.  In many ways, Mary was one of the developers of today's Diabetes Online Community.  She helped start the Diabetics International Foundation [http://members.tripod.com/diabetics_world/], which worked tirelessly for the many patients who suffered hypoglycemia unawareness attributed to biosynthetic insulin (an adverse effect the drug industry would prefer no one knew about, and has worked tirelessly to silence, although organizations such as The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust have made that impossible), helping to establish processes with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enable patients to import natural insulin varieties from the UK and Argentina.

On this World Diabetes Day, I am sharing Mary's obituary (see https://www.lenconnect.com/article/20131116/OBITUARIES/131119341).  I am saddened by Mary's passing, but eternally grateful to her for the work she did over the years to help others, as well as her kindness of spirit.  Much of what she did helped me in the work I've tried to do with Diabetes Advocates with the FDA, and I believe patients with diabetes will remain an important constituency for the FDA to consider.  On the latter note, please consider signing a petition to the FDA to sponsor a Patient Meeting on Diabetes (they have only 2 spaces remaining, but somehow aren't convinced a meeting dedicated to diabetes is necessary).  Visit http://diatribe.org/petition to sign the petition.

Without getting too far off-topic, below is Mary's obiturary:

Mary Sebastian-Hunt

Mary Sebastian-Hunt

Mary Sebastian-Hunt, 66 of Clinton, Michigan passed away peacefully Saturday November 9, 2013 at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital.  She was born on August 3, 1947 in Pontiac, Michigan to Charles E. and Thelma (Hazelton) Sebastian. On March 24, 1990 she married David L. Hunt, a life-long Clinton resident.

Mary lived in the Lansing and Mason area for many years. She was a gifted artist who loved oil painting and interior design. Mary was also an Outdoors Enthusiast and loved fishing and animal watching. Her greatest passion was helping others, including her help in diabetic research and the start of the Diabetics International Foundation.

Mary is survived by her husband, Dave;  her son, Jim Alexander of Tecumseh;  stepson, Darin L Hunt;  stepdaughter, Kimberly E. Hunt-Murphy;  and her sister Susan Mellentine, of Lehigh Acres, Florida.  In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Karl F. Sebastian; and her son, Matthew Scott Alexander.

According to her wishes, Mary has been cremated.  A Celebration of Life Service has been planned for Saturday, November 30 at 11 a.m., to be held at the Clinton United Methodist Church, 10990 Tecumseh Clinton Rd, Clinton, MI 49236.  Phone: (517) 456-4972.   A luncheon will follow at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary's honor to the Clinton United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be offered to the family at http://www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.