Ann Hedger Buckley

Ann Hedger was born on January 3, 1934, in Spokane, Washington to Walter and Victoria (White) Hedger. Her mother deliberately bestowed no middle name, such that she could use her maiden name as a middle name when married.

At age 5, Ann became a (then rare) child of divorce. She and her mother braved the world together, enlisting Ann’s grandparents to help take care of her. In 1945, Ann’s mother married James R. Cowell, and Ann gained a father figure and an older step-brother Don Cowell, whom she looked up to. This stable home life allowed Ann to flourish, as she attended Bancroft Elementary and Havermale Jr. High, playing accordion in various school groups, and participating in figure skating as a teenager at the Elm Street Ice Arena. She attended North Central High School, graduating in 1951. After high school, Ann entered the workforce as a secretary at Washington Water Power (now Avista). She learned much about the business workings and befriended many of her co-workers.

In September of 1956, Ann married fellow NCHS graduate James W. Buckley. A little over a year later they started a family with the birth of the first of their sons, and two more following 4 and 8 years later. Ann took on a new job as a full-time mother, and never looked back.

While Ann and Jim were raising their family, they enjoyed many activities. They loved watching and attending sporting events, especially the yearly “state B” high school basketball tournament, and local hockey (Spokane Comets and Spokane Jets) at the old Spokane Coliseum. During spring and summer they maintained outdoor flower gardens containing irises and tulips, and vegetable gardens full of zucchini, squash, garlic, tomatoes, and rhubarb. Summers included trips to the family cabin at Priest Lake, and winters included celebrating the array of holidays.

Eventually Ann and Jim became empty nesters, but still stayed active. Ann had always enjoyed knitting and crochet work, so she resumed these crafts and added quilting to her list of creative outlets. She hand-made numerous intricately detailed quilts that earned high praise from many. Both continued their life-long enjoyment of reading.

Ann lost her husband in August, 2016, just 12 days shy of their 60th anniversary. In later years health issues confined her to a wheelchair, but she did not let that deprive her of a comfortable lifestyle. She was able to remain mostly self-sufficient and continued watching sports, Jeopardy, crime drama shows, and old movies on TV. Ann soon grew to love a new social aspect of her life – spending time with her in-home care workers.

Ann enjoyed a meaningful and fulfilling life as a wife, mother, and steadfast supporter of everyone in her circle. She poured her heart into everything she did, and nowhere was that more evident than in the kitchen, where she became a truly incredible cook. Ann also held a deep appreciation for history, especially that of her beloved Spokane.

Ann is survived by her sons Douglas, David, and Derek (wife Davianne), step-grandson Andrew Williams, step-brother Don Cowell, and sister-in-law Betty Swift.

Ann requested no service be held, though the family plans to hold a celebration of life at a later date for both Ann and Jim. Donations in her honor can be made to The American Heart Association, Volunteers of America, or any charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank Annette, Som, Amber, and her other caregivers at Love In Home Senior Care; Marc, Cheryl, Phil, Holly, and other providers at Centerwell Health; and Travis at Elite Van Transportation for their care that enabled her to remain in her own home during her final years and months.