Marie Martha Buckley

Marie Martha Gauch Buckley was born on October 9, 1921, in Walla Walla, to Fred and Martha Gauch. She had three siblings, brothers Fred Jr and Harry Gauch, and sister Margaret (Joe) Boone, all who have passed.

Marie grew up in Walla Walla and was a graduate of St. Vincent Academy in 1940. The same year, Marie married John B. Buckley. Together, they had five children, Sharon (Howard) Tennant, Patricia (Richard) Wylie, Marianne (Frank) O’Leary, Joanne (Michael) Dunham and John (Melissa) Buckley Jr..

In her younger years, she loved riding horses, hunting pheasants, deer, duck, and geese. She also enjoyed traveling, boating, basking in the sun, entertaining, was a fantastic cook, an accomplished seamstress, and had a flair for fashion. Marie was a 4-H leader for the Lowden Pedal Pushers 4-H Club, helped two generations with 4-H sewing. Her daughters Sharon Tennant, Patricia Wylie, Marianne O’Leary, Joanne Dunham and granddaughters Gina Wylie, Jennifer Kontos, Shannon Wertman, and Heather O’Leary Witmer all inherited her skills. Marie was active with Walla Walla Catholic Daughters, and the Lowden Study Club. John and Marie were among the 12 founders of the Lowden French Town Hall, and longtime members of Assumption Parish.

Marie was most proud of her family and her years as a farmer’s wife. She and John farmed in the Lowden area for 58 years. They began married life in an old farmhouse without electricity. She cooked for harvest crews and raised five children in the quiet, open spaces of farmland which she learned to love. Marie is remembered for her spunky personality, her leopard print outfits, honest personality, and her love for her late husband, children and grandchildren.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, John in 1998; as well as her son-in-law, Michael Dunham; grandson, Eric Dunham; and great-granddaughter, Alexis Parker. She is survived by her children, Sharon Tennant, Patricia Wylie, Marianne O’Leary, Joanne Dunham and John Buckley Jr.; her grandchildren, Carmen Parker, Patricia Burlinguette, Daniel Tennant, Justin Wylie, Gina Wylie, Jennifer Kontos, Shannon Wertman, Heather O’Leary Witmer, Connor and Dane Buckley, Mattie and Ryan Weese; along with 12 great grandchildren.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. until after the Rosary at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7 p.m., March 9, 2017, in the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home with Monesa Grant, officiating. Graveside services will be held March 10, 2017, at 9 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery. The funeral Mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. following the graveside services with Father Kyle Ratuiste, Celebrating. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice or the Alzheimers Foundation through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.

A special thank you to Dr. Joanne Perez and Peter Gogl from Hospice. Also, the wonderful caring staff at the Odd Fellows West Wing.