Marian M. Buck

Marian M. Buck, beloved of her family and numerous friends died peacefully at home on January 9, 2010. Marian will be remembered for her optimism, hopefulness, interest in life and learning, enjoyment of family and friends, and that loving smile.

Marian was born Mildred Marian McCandless on August. 4, 1931 in Butte, Montana to Harry P. McCandless and Carol Simpson McCandless. She grew up in Redondo Beach, graduating from Redondo Union High School in 1949. Marian attended the University of Redlands and San Jose State and began a teaching career in Compton. In 1955 Marian contracted polio. After three months in an iron lung and more than a year of hospitalization and physical rehabilitation at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Marian returned to college at Long Beach State and Los Angeles State for an additional credential to teach orthopedically handicapped children. Polio had left her in a wheelchair, unable to walk, but she said once of her determination to continue her education and career, "I never thought I couldn't." She returned to teach at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital school and in Downey schools until retirement in 1987.

Marian had met her future husband, Graham Buck, in Methodist Youth Fellowship in high school but they didn't date until after college and married in 1960. They honeymooned in Hawaii and traveled extensively in Europe, Alaska, and also returned to Hawaii. She was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Omnilore College of extended education.

Marian was predeceased by her husband Graham, her brother Harrison C. McCandless, MD, her parents and nephew Michael McCandless. She is survived by sister-in-law, Barbara McCandless, brothers-in-law Brad (Becky) Buck, Greg (Nancy) Buck, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and her devoted caregiver Scarlet Aquino.

A celebration of Marian's life will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 2:00 PM, at Rice Mortuary in Torrance. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Torrance Memorial Hospice Foundation, 3440 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505.