Jeannette Ann Buckingham Obituary (1935 - 2016)

AUGUSTA ~ Jeannette Ann Jacqueline 'Jackie' Buckingham (ne Cox) went home to be with God and to dance again with her beloved husband on Sunday April 17, 2016 at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta. Jackie was the seventh child of Charles Henry and Kate (Spaulding) Cox on August 20th, 1935 in Ipswich, England. She married Charles (Buck) Allen Buckingham on December 1st, 1956 after meeting the dashing Airman at a dance (she almost didn't go!). Having married an Air Force man, they were soon relocated to the Westover Air Force Base in 1958, the first of many assignments. They had three children and returned to England many times on both vacations and various military assignments. Following Buck's retirement, the couple and family returned to Maine, where Buck had been born and raised. There, Jackie cultivated deep roots with her family, community, and her garden. Jackie found much joy in her working life, working at Blouin Motors and with the Augusta School Food Service. Her most rewarding job though, were the many years she spent as a volunteer at Togus VA and at the Maine Veterans Home following Buck's passing. She loved to dance and loved to bowl. She was on the Senior League for many years and made great friends there. Above all though, gardening was her passion. Nobody could grow a garden like Jackie; she could just look at the plants and things would grow! Jackie was a very active member of the St. Barnabas Church for many years. Her faith and belief were important cornerstones in her life and she was always willing to help people with her service and love. In her last weeks and hours, her children have been amazed to see their mother through the eyes of all who knew and loved her. Jackie was an amazing woman filled with much love and passion. Jackie had such wit and a ready smile which she shared with everybody until the very end. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed but she is now in heaven with many friends and family. May she enjoy dancing with Buck forever and eternity. Jackie was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years Buck, her parents, and her six sisters and one brother. Jackie leaves two daughters and a son: Debra L. Phillips and her husband, Craig, Terri A. Buckingham and Charles D. Buckingham. She also leaves many grandchildren and their families: Sandi and her husband Chris, Roxanne and her husband Mark, Chase, Kaytlynn and her husband Tim, Mikayla, Joshua, Jacob, Jennifer, and Charles; nine great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews, two especially important to Mom, Olwen and Russell. She also leaves a very special friend, Don Bickford as well as Jan and Joe Morelli. Many thanks to the wonderful staff at the Maine Veterans Home and MaineGeneral Medical Center who took care of Mom. A celebration of life will held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Bangor St. Augusta, Monday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 23, at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt Vernon Road Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com