Julia Francis Buckingham

Julia was born on April 6, 1921. Then after 95 years, The Lord said “well done Julia” and welcomed her home to Heaven on August 3, 2016. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Julia was born in Rosedale Kansas, the second of six children born to Margaret Mary and John Patrick Harney. They were a strong Irish Catholic family who worked hard in difficult times. They took the train from Kansas to San Francisco in 1930 so that her father could work for the breweries. There she attended a Catholic grade school and Sacred Heart High School. After High school she became a member of Delta Chi Sigma a Social Sorority and developed many lifelong friends. She met James L. Buckingham in 1940 and married February of 1942. Their first son James L. Jr (Lee) was born in 1944 while Jim was away serving during WWII. Julia worked at Kodak during the war and her family assisted with child care. When Jim returned home they moved to South San Francisco and their second son, Gregory John was born. In 1952 they moved to Menlo Park where son number three, Bruce Lyle was born. They spent the next 52 years in Menlo Park. After Jim’s retirement in 2004, Jim and Jul moved to Auburn to be closer to family.

During her time in Menlo Park, Julia was absolutely devoted to The Church of the Nativity. She and her friends helped get the school started and volunteered to work at the school for a few years to hold down costs. She was also devoted to her family and friends. Her house was always immaculate, her door was always open and meals were home made. She “adopted” her children’s friends. They knew that they were always welcome at her house and they behaved because they did not want to disappoint her. She always looked out for her family and bi-weekly get-togethers of 30 or more were not uncommon. No one could ask for a better wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandma or great grandmother—she gathered all with love and inclusiveness. She was especially close to her granddaughter Kris (Buckingham) Belk, who was lovingly devoted to her care in her later years.

Julia was predeceased by her husband Jim, her sisters Mary Harney, Margaret Harney, Norine Isaacson and brothers George and John Harney. She is survived by her sons, Lee, wife Ann, Gregory, wife Paula and Bruce wife Kim; her Grandchildren, Kris Belk, Jason Buckingham, Daniel Buckingham, Amy Copley, Anthony Ayala, Emily Buckingham and Josh Stahl; her Great Grandchildren Delaney and Chloe Belk, Kieran, Addie and Marlie Buckingham, Natalie and Caroline Buckingham, Tessa and Ethan Copley and Ashley, Brooke and Paige Stahl.

To say that she will be missed is the greatest understatement possible. The only thing that makes this bearable is knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life.

A Mass will be celebrated for Julia at St. Theresa of Avila church at 11600 Atwood Road at 10am on Friday, August 12, 2016. Interment will be at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo on the following day.