Jane Marie Buckmeier

Born on a green hillside in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, during her father's horse show, Jane emigrated to the United States at a very young age on a scholarship from the Copacabana. She was their first dancer who could lift her leg around her neck, which caught the eye of both Arlen "Buck" Buckmeier and Frank Sinatra. Despite Sinatra's interest, Jane chose Buck, the love of her life, and they married on November 9, 1963, in Boston. Buck was a young man in the navy and was stationed on Polaris submarines in Oahu. Jane wasn’t much for island life, struggling to find coconuts that fit her, and her island fever caused her to smack clock-loaches with her bare hand all night, keeping her awake.

After Buck left the military, they moved to San Diego. Jane loved Jesus and was saved at Christian Faith Center by Jerry Bernard in 1972 by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jane lived fearlessly and boldly for Jesus, spending most of her days leading complete strangers to Christ. One of her greatest accomplishments was leading a Jewish woman she admired to Christ, fulfilling the Bible's call to "bring the Jewish to Christ."

Jane was a missionary in South Korea, had a keen eye for estate sale treasures, and spoke five languages: Dutch, Gaelic, French, German, and Sterlin'. She could make homemade pizza that would bring in all the neighbors from the yard and enjoyed changing her grandchildren's diapers, taking them to the park, and watching them grow up. Jane could knock your teeth across the street if you looked at her cross-eyed or asked her to babysit instead of taking her to the casino. She would often say, "Top of the morning to you...and the rest of the day to meself!" while wearing her sparkling lime green leprechaun outfits.

A committed follower of Christ, Jane was a spiritual warrior serving the Lord and boldly winning souls to Christ. Her unwavering devotion and compassionate spirit allowed her to lead many to a closer relationship with God, and she has now taken her rightful place at the Lord's table.

Jane is survived by her loving children, her treasured grandchildren, and a beloved great-grandchild. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family invites everyone to celebrate her life and the lasting impact she had on those around her. Jane's spirit will continue to inspire and uplift the hearts of those she touched.

In honor of me mommy's spirit, "Have a wee bit of the proper Irish whiskey... ERIN GO BRAGH!"