Nancy Buckner

It is too soon for me to put into words all I am feeling right now. But I encourage everyone to read my niece's, Camryn Buckner, comment. (The very first post made.) It encompasses all that my mom was, smart, funny, sarcastic, stubborn, and so much more. She made sure we experienced and understood the world outside of our front door, beyond the limits of our small town, and across oceans. Not by traveling to far away places, but by reading books, going to museums, and attending cultural events. She taught us to respect and accept people who are different than ourselves, and to consider that, at times, "the greater good" is more important than our individual wants. My mom was a wonderful human being and I miss her.

My grammy was one of a kind — stubborn, realistic, and full of quiet love. She had this way of getting onto all of us, her kids and and grandkids, about the little things. Back then, we might’ve rolled our eyes or laughed it off, but now I understand it was never about being strict. It was about wanting us to succeed. She cared in her own way, and she made sure we learned to care too. About ourselves, about doing things right, about making something of our lives. She loved giraffes so much that every time i went to the zoo, i made sure to take pictures just for her. They always reminded me of her. Calm, strong, and graceful, standing tall above it all. And her love of books… it was something special. She built her own little library over the years, each book a piece of her curious mind and quiet wisdom. I always admired that about her, the way she found comfort and company in stories. Her sense of humor was something else too. Dry, stubborn, and perfectly timed. Even when she seemed serious, there was always that spark of wit underneath. I remember points i had to hold back laughter because if i let it out, i would have sounded ridiculous from laughing so hard. I dont think she realized how funny she really was. I think she passed that down to my dad and then to me, even if it took me a while to realize it. I see her in the little moments when i laugh at something only she would have found funny. There’s something i never got to tell her outright — how thankful i am for everything she did for me and for our family. For the life she helped build, the values she instilled, and the love she gave even when she didn’t say it out loud. I wish i had told her that in words before this unfortunate time, but i hope she already knew. Knowing her, anyone getting emotional during this time, she would just shake her head and say, “Don’t cry over me” and expect all of us to carry on as life was normal because that’s just the kind of person she was. Tough, humble, and real. The world has been quieter without her in it and i can’t express in words the impact she had on not just me, but anyone who knew her. Sometimes it felt like maybe she didn’t realize just how loved and cherished she was, but she was loved deeply. We might not have always shown it in the same ways, but it was always there. I always wanted to make her proud, to share my accomplishments with her, to show her how far I’ve come because i owe so much of that to her. I’m so thankful i got 25 years with her as my Grammy. She will always be my Grammy — that’s something time can’t take away. This isn’t goodbye. It’s always see you later.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.