Mildred Elaine Buckley

Mildred Elaine Boucher Buckley was born on June 3, 1923 in Ridgway, Colorado and died November 8, 2020 in Salt Lake City. Mildred was known as being the nicest person anyone had ever met with twinkling eyes and a wonderful smile. She never met a stranger and had hugs all around for everyone.

Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Bob, five years ago – she missed him every day and we are so happy they are reunited. She leaves behind three children: Deborah Matticks (Lance), Randall Buckley (Ginny) and Ron Buckley (Jennifer) along with seven grandchildren, Andrea Barentsen (Chris), Benjamin Buckley (Katie), Michael Matticks, Erika Moore (Quentel), Trent Buckley, Joshua Matticks and Elizabeth Buckley and four great grandchildren (Rylee and Emma Barentsen, Benson and Felix Buckley).

Mildred attended St. Luke’s Hospital Training School for Nurses in Denver, CO. Upon graduating, she immediately joined the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed in the Philippines and then Japan right after the war. Most of her nursing friends joined the Navy. The slogan was “Join the Navy and See the World”. They stayed stateside while Mildred did see the world. She talked about having to wash in her helmet while stationed in the jungle and the time aboard ship climbing the rope ladders and crossing the international date line. When she came home she got a call from a nurse friend to “come to Nevada” to work. The pay was better than anywhere else because it was a mining community. There were also many more men than women! She met her husband, Bob Buckley at a Christmas party and they were married six weeks later in January, 1952. Thus began their grand adventure together. They adopted their three children and Mildred never tired of telling their adoption stories to anyone who would listen, especially the story of getting a call for their third child, Ron. Most of the family time was spent in the outdoors camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. She was an experienced fly fisherwoman who tied her own flies. They would take their grandchildren on trips in the motorhome which provided many great experiences and stories. Many good times were spent at East Canyon Resort with the entire family – swimming and hiking in the summer and sledding and snowmobiling in the winter. She and Bob also played bridge…a lot! In her later years, she played RummiCube. She remained lucky in games until the end, winning a Bingo game only weeks before she passed. Family was everything to Mildred and their home was the place to be for any occasion. The family Santa Claus parties were renowned!

Mildred had some famous quotes over the years: “Now that looks foxy!”, “You sure have big feet!”, “What happened to your hair?”, “That was a good game”, “I’ve never seen anything like that!”, “You know I love cookies”.

Mildred volunteered as a docent at the Museum of Natural History at the University of Utah, a Girl Scout leader, participated in her PEO chapter, visited the elderly and participated in many other volunteer projects. She didn’t sit still – she was very much like her favorite hummingbird. She and Bob were long-time members of St. James Episcopal Church in Midvale, Utah. They served as Sunday School Teachers, Ushers, were active participants in the camping group and games night. Mildred also honored the tradition of women in the family by serving on Altar Guild for many, many years. She and Bob were the ultimate Jazz fans and had season tickets from the first. They developed relationships with those who sat around them and even those who rode with them on Trax. She was a favorite of the usher who escorted her to her seat for each game. She was also a huge baseball fan (Dodgers) and our various Salt Lake City teams, including the Bees. The family spent many an afternoon or evening watching the best baseball in the country. She often kept a scoresheet so she could keep track of stats.

For the last 30+ years of their marriage Bob and Mildred traveled the USA, Mexico and Canada in their motorhome as well as had many fabulous trips overseas. Although Bob would have liked to travel every day of the year, Mildred needed her home base for family time. They managed to find that perfect balance of adventure and home. They are now able to continue their adventures together into the next realm. They must be so happy to be together again.

Because of the pandemic we will not be gathering for a celebration at this time. We are hoping to celebrate her in the spring or summer. If you feel so inclined, you may give a donation in her name to St. James Episcopal Church, Midvale, Utah. But most of all, have a cookie and love your family.