Mary L Buchanan

Mary was born on February 8, 1934, in Enterprise, Kansas, to Harvey and Esther Miller. During her childhood, the family moved west and settled in Yakima, Washington, where Mary graduated from Yakima High School in 1952. Through close friends, she met her future husband, Clifford Buchanan, and they married in 1957. The newlyweds moved to Seattle, where Mary worked downtown while Clifford pursued a degree in civil engineering at the University of Washington. They later returned to Yakima to raise their three children, Ty, Todd, and Teri.

From the time of their marriage in 1957, Mary and Cliff worshiped and served at First Presbyterian Church, now known as Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church. They also volunteered with Children’s Home Society of Washington.

Mary’s warm and friendly personality made her especially well suited to customer service. She spent many years working for People’s Department Store, Mervyn’s, and Sears, forming lifelong friendships along the way. In retirement, she treasured time with family and friends and traveled often to her favorite beach destination, Lincoln City. She also enjoyed gardening, tending her roses, and sharing lunches with former Sears coworkers and the Red Hat Ladies. As her children can attest, “mom could not leave the house without running into someone she knew and always took the time to catch up with them on what was going on in their lives”.

After her husband, Clifford, passed away in 2008, the Lord’s providence brought their youngest child, Teri, back home. Mary and Teri shared many adventures together, including trips to Carolina Beach, North Carolina, and Polson, Montana, as well as numerous casino adventures.

Mary will be remembered for her warm and welcoming spirit, her devotion to family and faith, and the joy she found in friendship, travel, gardening, and time spent with those she loved.

After a hospitalization in August, Mary returned home under hospice care, fulfilling her wish to remain close to family, friends, and her beloved kitty, Tuffy. The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by Memorial Hospice. During Mary’s final weeks, the visits and assistance of her neighbors, friends, and family brought comfort to her and greatly assisted her daughter Teri’s loving care for her. The family offers special thanks to Debbie Splawn and Carla Journagan, who visited frequently and generously gave their time and help. Also, our gratitude goes out to Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan for his many years of wonderful care of mom.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Buchanan, and her parents, Harvey and Esther Miller.

Mary is survived by her children, Ty (Molly) Buchanan, Todd (Terri) Buchanan, and Teri Buchanan; her brother, Gilbert (Elizabeth) Miller; and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Their will be a visitation on September 17th, 2026 at Keith and Keith Funeral Home from 3pm to 7pm. A Funeral Service will be held at 1pm on Friday September 18, at Keith and Keith Funeral Home with a graveside service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima, Washington.

Mary’s faith is reflected in the words of John 11:25–26: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”