Mary C. Buker

Mary was born on November 17, 1944, at Lewiston’s Central Maine General Hospital (now CMCC) as the sixth child of William and Phyllis Schoppe of Auburn. As a middle child in this large family–eventually 10 children–Mary seemed destined to live a life filled with joyful service to others. She will always be remembered for her tender heart, her warm and giving nature, and her endless kindness.

Wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, caregiver, devoted Christian, and dear friend, the day-to-day world of Mary Buker was one in which everyone was made to feel welcome. She was always the first to offer help and the last to ask for any assistance.

A 1963 graduate of Edward Little High School, Mary then finished her schooling at Auburn’s Maine School of Commerce. She and her sweetheart, George H. Buker, Jr. of Minot, were married on July 3, 1965, at the West Auburn Congregational Church—the same church where she attended services throughout her life. The “little church” played an important part throughout Mary’s entire life: It was there that she received her pin for perfect Sunday School attendance and sang in the “Charlie’s Angels” choir organized by longtime organist and friend Charles Marshall. The church and its adjacent vestry was the site of countless family gatherings and community celebrations. It was at the West Auburn Congregational Church that Mary was the superintendent and teacher of the Sunday School for more than 30 years. More recently, she was named church treasurer.

With a life dedicated to home, farm, and family, Mary was a beloved “second mom” or “summer mother” to many of the children of her siblings and to friends of her own children; it seemed as if the door at the Bukers’ farmhouse was always open and visitors needed never knock. For Mary and her large extended family, many of the best and most memorable times were had “up at the farm” at the end of Hersey Hill Road.

Mary’s life off the farm was also one filled with activity, from leading a Brownie Troop and participating in the Minot Historical Society, to organizing reunions and community suppers, and as a volunteer at Auburn’s High Street Food Pantry. Mary’s giving spirit seemed to be without end.

Throughout her life, while keeping things moving along at the farm, Mary also held a number of interesting and personally fulfilling jobs: from packing apples for West Breeze Orchards to summers spent scooping ice cream at Taber’s. She even donned the old Peck’s Department Store Easter bunny costume a number of times, to the delight of local children and families. Later in life, after time spent caring for her aging father-in-law, she put her caring skills to work for five years as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Schooner Estates in Auburn.

For those who knew her best, Mary will be remembered for many things: as a hard worker putting up hay in the barn, tending to a roster of farm animals, and canning the produce that came from an ever-expanding garden; as a tender and loving mother–always willing to put the needs of her children and grandchildren before her own; as a skilled baker of real mince pies or talented seamstress who could put together costumes and make “stuffies” with ease; as an easygoing friend who could both give and take a joke with that unforgettably heart-warming laugh and sometimes sharp, but well-tuned, sense of humor; and as someone who could perform–with ease–the simple and beautifully humane act of being there for you when you needed a hand to hold, a kiss on the forehead, or someone to cry with.

Mary Carolyn Schoppe Buker was loved by all who knew her and her warm and delightful presence will be dearly missed.

In addition to George H. Buker, Jr., her husband of 52 years, she leaves behind a large, loving family, including her daughters Wendy Leigh Gilpatric and husband Douglas, and Jennifer Lynda Sawyer and husband Willard Sawyer; son Charles (Chuck) Lawrence Buker and wife Whitney King-Buker, all of Minot; her four cherished grandchildren Sydney and Zachariah Gilpatric and Calvin and Ford Buker; as well as a large extended family with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. She is predeceased by her daughter Heidi Lynn Stimson and her unborn child, and her brother William F. Schoppe III.

She is survived by many of her siblings, including Anne Lacourse and partner Lewis Damon of Mexico, ME; Dorothy Putnam of Reno, NV; C. Timothy Schoppe and wife Joanne of Bangor, ME; Donald C. Schoppe and wife Patricia of Auburn, ME; Peggy Tucker and partner Steve Soreff of Nottingham, NH; Cathy Hickman and husband Terry of Champaign, IL; Carol Wutzdorff and husband Bob of Manchester, ME; Susan Ference and husband Donald of Auburn, ME; and sister-in-law Cynthia Schoppe of Berwick, ME.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. at the West Auburn Congregational Church located at 811 West Auburn Road, Auburn, ME 04210.