Joomla!

MARQUETTE - Mary Loretto Bucklin, 91, of Marquette, died Sunday evening, July 3, 2011, at Mill Creek Assisted Living, with her loving family by her side and under the recent care of Lake Superior Hospice.

Born May 16, 1920, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Mary was the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Margaret L. (Downs) Stanaway. Growing up during the depression era, she developed a keen resourcefulness she retained throughout her life.

Mary graduated from the Loretto Academy for Girls in 1938. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Northern State Teacher's College in 1942, and her Master's degree in education from the University of Michigan in 1955. It was at Northern where she met Clyde F. Bucklin, her husband of 54 years. They were married on June 29, 1946 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. After receiving her bachelor's degree, she taught elementary education for 6 years in the Sault Ste. Marie public school system. Later she returned to Marquette, where she served as a faculty member at Northern Michigan College of Education (J.D. Pierce Teacher Training School) from 1948-1953. Following the birth of her children, she devoted herself fully to raising her family, which she considered her life's work.

During her earlier years, Mary was a member of AAUW. More recently she became a member of PEO. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, serving as the organist at her church in the Sault. A woman of many interests, she found pleasure in sewing, reading, genealogy, camping, canoeing, completing puzzles, and taking daily rides around Presque Isle Park. Above all, she loved spending time with her family.

?Mary is survived by her children, Mary Kathryn "Kathy" (Randall) Johnson of Marquette and David Bucklin of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Lauren (Alex) Johnson-Buck of Lansing, MI, Chelsea Johnson of Marquette, Michael Bucklin of West Hartford, CT and Matthew Bucklin of Marietta, GA; sisters, Marguerite (Gerald) Kennedy and Frances Anderson, both of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clyde F. Bucklin on February 28, 2001; and a brother, Chester Stanaway.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011 from 12 Noon to 2 p.m. in the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. Following the Mass, a luncheon will be served in Zryd Parish Center in the church. Interment will take place in Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lake Superior Hospice Association, 914 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 or Bay Cliff Health Camp, 310 W. Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

Mary's obituary may also be viewed at www.canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends can leave a note of remembrance in her guestbook.