Mary Catherine Buck

Mary Catherine Buck, 89, formerly of El Dorado, AR, most recently a resident of Touchmark in Edmond, OK was received from her daughter’s arms into Jesus’ arms on Thursday, May 20, 2010. She died as gently as she lived, surrounded by the spirit of love that overflowed to her from her family, caregivers and sweet friends who made her last years and days so meaningful and rewarding.

Born January 26, 1921, in the pre-Civil War family home at Mars Hill in South Arkansas, Mary Catherine was the only child of Ellen and Henry Shea. She learned the art of gracious living and unconditional love from her mother and lived it throughout her life passing it on to her children, grandchildren and all she encountered.

She attended Texas State Women’s University and was a graduate of Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas, where she met Clifton Buck, her soul mate and husband of 62 years. During WWII she worked for the Ration Board, and later found her true calling as a mother and homemaker in El Dorado, Arkansas where she and Clifton created a happy Christian home raising their two children, Cliff and Mary Ellen. Mary Catherine was a Cub Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher and community volunteer, but claimed for many years she was a taxi driver as she delighted in getting her kids and their friends to their many activities. In 1972, she and Clifton moved to Rogers, Arkansas where they lived for 32 years until Clifton’s passing.

While her daughter fondly recalls as a child hearing Mary Catherine singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from the Broadway hit ‘Oklahoma!’ as she did chores, Mary Catherine never imagined she would ever leave Arkansas. She moved to Edmond, OK in 2005 to be near family after her husband’s death and she embraced Oklahoma as her home in her later years. She became a resident of Touchmark at Coffee Creek Senior Living in Edmond in 2007 and treasured her many friends, both the residents and those who work there, and the fun times they shared. At her death, she was the longest residing assisted living resident at Touchmark, a title she loved.

Mary Catherine was all about family and cherished family gatherings. She leaves a legacy of love including her son, Cliff Buck of Cartersville, GA, daughter Mary Ellen Bridwell and her husband Gary of Edmond, OK, grandchildren Dr. Shealynn Harris and Caleb Buck of Atlanta, GA, Dru Bridwell and his wife Daryn of Tulsa, OK, and Cody Bridwell and wife Piper of Oklahoma City. She also leaves behind special great grandchildren including Brianna and Jade Harris, and Cade, Camryn and Legend Bridwell. In addition, she is survived by a host of extended family, including precious sisters-in-law Dot Clark and Virginia Hendricks of El Dorado, Arkansas and Betty Buck of Blue Springs, MO, as well as first cousins Jimmy (Rocky) Lester and Johnny (Carol) Lester of Fayetteville who were more like brothers throughout her life.

Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Baggerley Funeral Home Chapel.

Arrangements and services entrusted to the care of Baggerley Funeral Home of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Those wishing to honor Mary Catherine may do so by contributing in her name to: People Caring for People. PO Box 14411, OKC, OK. 73113. www.peoplecaringforpeople.org