MARJORIE MURIEL MUNROE BUCKINGER

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MARJORIE MURIEL MUNROE BUCKINGER Marjorie Muriel Munroe Buckinger passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 5, 2008 at the age of 77 from heart-related complications. She is survived by many family and friends who loved her and thought the world of her: Her brother, Bob Munroe and sister-in-law Margaret Munroe of Warren, Manitoba, Canada; her three daughters and their spouses and companions: Liz Serra and Scott Johnson of Portland; Vivian and Kevin Gysler of Redmond, WA; Laura and Todd LeVigne of Castle Rock, CO and former son-in-law Steve Serra of Portland, and nine wonderful grandchildren who adored their Nana : Dan Serra, Katie, Kyle and Kirk Gysler, and Ana-Maria, Scott, Damon, Cristian and Tori LeVigne. Marj was born July 3, 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Robert James and Alda Muriel Munroe. She grew up on the family homestead farm, Acorn Acres, near Warren, Manitoba with her brother Bob and sister, Donna (Donna preceded Marj in death in 1974). Marj attended school through grade 11 in Warren and the completed grade 12 in Winnipeg. She then attended United College of Manitoba and received her Nursing Degree from Winnipeg General Hospital. After receiving her Nursing Degree, Marj moved to Portland, Oregon and was a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. It was there she met her future husband, John Buckinger, as he was visiting a friend staying on her ward with a broken leg. John and Marj were married in Warren, Manitoba on July 9, 1955 (divorced in 1982). She lived in Seattle, New Jersey and Florida before settling in Portland, OR in 1965. Marj was extremely active in her daughters' lives. She was very active as a parent volunteer at Shaver Elementary School where the girls attended and served on the PTA for many years. She loved having the house full of their friends and was called Mom B. by many of them throughout the years. Marj sewed like a pro and made most of her daughters' clothes as well as many costumes for the Parkrose High School musicals and choirs, and sewed too many bridesmaids gowns to keep count. When her daughters went to various Oregon colleges, she never missed a Mom's Weekend , and was never partial to the school, whether it be OCE, OSU or U of O, as long as it meant a weekend with one of her daughters. Marj never totally gave up nursing after getting married. After her daughters were off to college, she worked in a private physician's office, regaining her nursing license. After retiring from professional nursing, she volunteered for the Red Cross, gave blood pressure clinics, and volunteered at Portland Adventist Hospital. Throughout her life, she was always willing to help friends through any medical crises and provided home hospice care on numerous occasions. Marj had an active and independent spirit. She enjoyed travel with her friends from Summerplace, frequent trips to see her grandchildren, and her annual trip home to Acorn Acres. Marj enjoyed gardening and particularly loved her roses. She was an avid bowler and a member of many bowling teams over the years. She also loved sports, whether it be one of her grandson's little league games, or a Seahawks game with her sons-in-law. Marj was active in her Summerplace community, serving on the pool committee, writing monthly newsletter articles, acting as the official even photographer, and coordinating the annual Christmas luncheon. Marj's death has left an incredible void for all of her family members and friends. She was a wonderful mother, Nana and friend to so many. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 10 at 5:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial Chapel. A Celebration of Life potluck will be held on Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the Summerplace Club House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Marj's name to the American Heart Association, The American Cancer Association or to Portland Adventist Medical Center.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2008