With hearts full of love and cherished memories, we share the passing of Blodwen "Bee" Buckel, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a true friend, on January 17th, 2024, at the age of 94 in Silver Spring, MD. Surrounded by her family, Bee's departure leaves a legacy of love, warmth, and gentle guidance. Bee had been a resident of the Riderwood Senior Living Community for 19 years.
The daughter of Anthony Meurig and Beatrice Morrow Jones, Bee was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her Welsh heritage instilled in her a love of music that she shared with her family and friends.
She attended South Hills High School in Pittsburgh and graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania in 1950. She had lifelong friends, including her Kappa Delta sisters, with whom she stayed in touch throughout her life. After graduation she taught school at A Leo Weil Elementary school in Pittsburgh. Her teaching career continued at Lutherville Elementary school in Lutherville, MD and Adelphi Elementary School in Adelphi, MD. And she shared her passion for education as a 4-H club volunteer in Adelphi for many years.
Bee's life was a beautiful tapestry woven with love when she married W. Max Buckel on July 19, 1952. Their 49-year journey was a testament to enduring love, shared dreams, and the joy of raising three wonderful daughters: Kendra (John) Wells, Kerry (Brooke) Greer, and Kristin (Bill) Bogus. Bee and Max shared a passion for the University of Maryland, and, as avid Terps fans, they created a legacy of spirited game days, both in football and basketball. Their love extended to being the proudest spectators at their grandchildren's sports, 4-H, dance, and music activities. As active members of the UMD Agricultural community they forged treasured lifelong friendships.
A member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Laurel, MD at the time of her death, Bee previously belonged to Zion Lutheran Church in Takoma Park, MD for over 40 years. She sang in the choir and was a founding member of the Women of Zion.
Following Max's passing in 2002, Bee's heart found solace and companionship with Charlie Nolan, with whom she shared many joyous years.
The light of Bee's life shone brightest through her seven grandchildren, Kelsey (Bill) Zgieb, Ashley (Taylor) Summers, Lindsey Greer, Lauren (Sully) Greer, Brent Greer, Billy Bogus, and Blake Bogus; and her seven great-grandchildren, Anders & Deryn Zgieb, Wells, Leland & Rip Summers, Dylan Dowd, and Campbell Cohen. Each moment spent with them—be it baking cookies, trips to Ocean City, sing-a-longs, shopping excursions, or sitting together sharing Russell Stover chocolates—was imbued with love and laughter.
Bee's warmth and radiant smile turned strangers into friends and left an indelible mark on the hearts of those she met. Her kindness, generosity, and joyful spirit will be deeply missed but forever cherished.
A celebration of Bee’s beautiful life will be held on Saturday, February 3 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Laurel, MD with viewing at 9:30 a.m. and the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. (The service will be live streamed on the Holy Trinity YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@htlclaurel720)
To honor Bee's lifelong dedication to spreading love and kindness, the family kindly suggests donations to one of the following, in lieu of flowers:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund 7607 Old Sandy Spring Road Laurel, MD 20707
W. Max and Bee Buckel Maryland 4-H Scholarship The Maryland 4-H Foundation 8020 Greenmead Drive College Park, MD 20740
Riderwood Senior Living Community Benevolent Fund 3140 Gracefield Road Silver Spring, MD 20904
