Obituary for Patricia Kerr Bucklin
Patricia Kerr Bucklin
GENEVA- Patricia (“Pat”) Bucklin, 90, loving wife, beloved mother of 11 and proud matriarch of the Bucklin family passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023 at Geneva General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva, NY. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 with prayers at 12:30 pm at the funeral home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Geneva. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish, 130 Exchange St., Geneva, NY 14456, the Nester Hose Company of the Geneva Fire Department, 207 Genesee St., Geneva, NY 14456 or the Center of Concern, 58 Avenue D, Geneva, NY 14456.
Pat is survived by her loving children, Patricia of Slingerlands, NY; Gary (Paula), Susan of Saratoga, NY, John (Jacqueline), Robert (Maureen), James (Kathy), Stephen (Sherri Beall) of Portsmouth, NH and Michael (Karla), and daughter-in-law, Jeanne, all of Geneva except as noted.
She also is survived by her cherished grandchildren, Kourtney (Tyler Reichert) and Ashley Bucklin; Kevin and Kelly Bucklin; Michael Young (Brittany Woodward); Kate (Nate) Moore; Kristie (Eric) Milsap; Thomas Bucklin; Kara Bucklin (Craig Baker), John Bucklin, Kacy Bucklin, Kailey (Ryan) Helstrom; James (Grace) Bucklin; Joseph (Sheree) Bucklin; Jay Bucklin; Shannon, Lauren and Brennan Bucklin; and Sean, Allyson and Matthew Bucklin; step-grandchildren Michael Evangelista and Sarah (Stephen) Smaldone; and Hannah and Duncan Beall.
In addition, she is survived by her adored great-grandchildren Grace, Anna, Liv, Jack, Joseph, Tate, Brody, Chase, Kenzie, Kyleigh, Jaxson, Gage, Ryleigh, Reed, Audree, Charlie and Caroline, and step great-grandchildren Lola, Weston, Crew and Carson.
Pat was predeceased by her husband George Bucklin, son Thomas, infant twin daughters Julie and Joan, granddaughter Kennedy Ann Bucklin, sisters Alice (William) Marlow and Barbara (Thomas) Pierce, brother Winston (Rosemarie) Kerr, and sister-in-law Mary (Thomas) Mulcahy.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, Pat was born in 1932, the youngest of four children born to the late Clarence and Genevieve Kerr. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1950 and accepted a position at the New York Telephone Company where she worked for five years, rising to the level of Supervisor. She married her husband George in 1953 and during the next 13 years gave birth to seven sons and four daughters, including twins who died shortly after birth. She learned to juggle work and parenting early on, working nights while her husband attended Hobart College and worked days. When George graduated three years later, they were expecting their third baby.
When her youngest child was three, Pat began working evenings and weekends at the Present Company in Geneva and continued there for eight years. Over the next nearly 14 years, she was employed by the Geneva City School District working mornings as a Teacher’s Aide and working afternoons for the Finger Lakes Times as a motor carrier. She delivered 300 newspapers each day on a rural route covering 40 miles, often navigating drifting snow and bad weather. Thereafter, she was employed by McCurdy’s for six years. She was an outstanding employee and loved meeting and helping customers.
Pat’s greatest pride and joy was her family who loved her deeply. She and her husband George were married for 57 years until his passing in 2010. They were incredibly devoted parents who instilled strong values in their children, including a deep respect for others and a strong work ethic. Fun times were also a priority. Summers were filled with picnics, swimming and get-togethers with friends at the American Legion. Sports were a year-round activity. With her sons’ various game and practice schedules for their many baseball, football and basketball teams, Pat often started serving dinner at 3 pm and continued until after 9 pm. On many evenings Pat and George traveled from ballpark to ballpark, taking in multiple games to cheer on their children. The tradition continued with their grandchildren’s sports. In 2001, they were honored by being named Family of the Year by the Knights of Columbus.
Pat was proud of her boisterous Irish family and rolled with all the unpredictability of everyday life in a large family. She was happiest when she hosted family get-togethers. Everyone’s favorite was the annual Christmas Eve celebration, which grew to include not only her children and their spouses, but many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With her home beautifully decorated with a gorgeous tree, nearly 50 Christmas stockings hung by the chimney with care and presents galore, her family always had a great celebration.
Throughout the year, Pat and George created a loving home. Built in 1885, their large Victorian home was always warm and welcoming with the large porches filled with comfy wicker furniture, porch boxes brimming with bright red geraniums, and softly-lit candles in the windows exuding hospitality. The house was adorned with festive decorations for every season, including the second-story pumpkin display for their nine children and, as the years passed, for their more than 20 grandchildren. They were honored to have their home featured in the Finger Lakes Times and on the Geneva Tour of Homes.
In later years, Pat volunteered at the reception desk at Geneva General Hospital every week for eight years until curtailed by the pandemic. A highlight of her later years was playing euchre each week with her dear friends and organizing their luncheon venues. She also enjoyed playing the slots at the casino, visiting with high school classmates at monthly luncheons, attending sewing club get-togethers that started 50 years ago, keeping up with the latest Facebook posts, reading newspapers from cover to cover, listening to her police and fire scanner, watching Jeopardy and devouring ice cream sundaes. Her days were filled with nonstop visits and calls with family and friends passing along the latest family news to all.
Pat was strong, adventurous and loved lots of activity. Despite the onset of severe rheumatoid arthritis at 35, which necessitated six hip and knee replacements and involved daily aches and pains, she never complained and did not let it slow her down. She also was a beautiful woman. In high school, she often was selected as a prom queen, and her keen sense of style continued through the years with her attractive outfits and brightly colored jewelry. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Parish. She also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Pat’s greatest legacy is the beautiful family that she and George created. Nothing was more important to her. Her family cherishes the time they had with her and her spirit will remain in their hearts forever. Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the immense outpouring of love and support from so many friends of the family.
GENEVA- Patricia (“Pat”) Bucklin, 90, loving wife, beloved mother of 11 and proud matriarch of the Bucklin family passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023 at Geneva General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva, NY. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 with prayers at 12:30 pm at the funeral home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Geneva. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Peace Parish, 130 Exchange St., Geneva, NY 14456, the Nester Hose Company of the Geneva Fire Department, 207 Genesee St., Geneva, NY 14456 or the Center of Concern, 58 Avenue D, Geneva, NY 14456.
Pat is survived by her loving children, Patricia of Slingerlands, NY; Gary (Paula), Susan of Saratoga, NY, John (Jacqueline), Robert (Maureen), James (Kathy), Stephen (Sherri Beall) of Portsmouth, NH and Michael (Karla), and daughter-in-law, Jeanne, all of Geneva except as noted.
She also is survived by her cherished grandchildren, Kourtney (Tyler Reichert) and Ashley Bucklin; Kevin and Kelly Bucklin; Michael Young (Brittany Woodward); Kate (Nate) Moore; Kristie (Eric) Milsap; Thomas Bucklin; Kara Bucklin (Craig Baker), John Bucklin, Kacy Bucklin, Kailey (Ryan) Helstrom; James (Grace) Bucklin; Joseph (Sheree) Bucklin; Jay Bucklin; Shannon, Lauren and Brennan Bucklin; and Sean, Allyson and Matthew Bucklin; step-grandchildren Michael Evangelista and Sarah (Stephen) Smaldone; and Hannah and Duncan Beall.
In addition, she is survived by her adored great-grandchildren Grace, Anna, Liv, Jack, Joseph, Tate, Brody, Chase, Kenzie, Kyleigh, Jaxson, Gage, Ryleigh, Reed, Audree, Charlie and Caroline, and step great-grandchildren Lola, Weston, Crew and Carson.
Pat was predeceased by her husband George Bucklin, son Thomas, infant twin daughters Julie and Joan, granddaughter Kennedy Ann Bucklin, sisters Alice (William) Marlow and Barbara (Thomas) Pierce, brother Winston (Rosemarie) Kerr, and sister-in-law Mary (Thomas) Mulcahy.
A lifelong resident of Geneva, Pat was born in 1932, the youngest of four children born to the late Clarence and Genevieve Kerr. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1950 and accepted a position at the New York Telephone Company where she worked for five years, rising to the level of Supervisor. She married her husband George in 1953 and during the next 13 years gave birth to seven sons and four daughters, including twins who died shortly after birth. She learned to juggle work and parenting early on, working nights while her husband attended Hobart College and worked days. When George graduated three years later, they were expecting their third baby.
When her youngest child was three, Pat began working evenings and weekends at the Present Company in Geneva and continued there for eight years. Over the next nearly 14 years, she was employed by the Geneva City School District working mornings as a Teacher’s Aide and working afternoons for the Finger Lakes Times as a motor carrier. She delivered 300 newspapers each day on a rural route covering 40 miles, often navigating drifting snow and bad weather. Thereafter, she was employed by McCurdy’s for six years. She was an outstanding employee and loved meeting and helping customers.
Pat’s greatest pride and joy was her family who loved her deeply. She and her husband George were married for 57 years until his passing in 2010. They were incredibly devoted parents who instilled strong values in their children, including a deep respect for others and a strong work ethic. Fun times were also a priority. Summers were filled with picnics, swimming and get-togethers with friends at the American Legion. Sports were a year-round activity. With her sons’ various game and practice schedules for their many baseball, football and basketball teams, Pat often started serving dinner at 3 pm and continued until after 9 pm. On many evenings Pat and George traveled from ballpark to ballpark, taking in multiple games to cheer on their children. The tradition continued with their grandchildren’s sports. In 2001, they were honored by being named Family of the Year by the Knights of Columbus.
Pat was proud of her boisterous Irish family and rolled with all the unpredictability of everyday life in a large family. She was happiest when she hosted family get-togethers. Everyone’s favorite was the annual Christmas Eve celebration, which grew to include not only her children and their spouses, but many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With her home beautifully decorated with a gorgeous tree, nearly 50 Christmas stockings hung by the chimney with care and presents galore, her family always had a great celebration.
Throughout the year, Pat and George created a loving home. Built in 1885, their large Victorian home was always warm and welcoming with the large porches filled with comfy wicker furniture, porch boxes brimming with bright red geraniums, and softly-lit candles in the windows exuding hospitality. The house was adorned with festive decorations for every season, including the second-story pumpkin display for their nine children and, as the years passed, for their more than 20 grandchildren. They were honored to have their home featured in the Finger Lakes Times and on the Geneva Tour of Homes.
In later years, Pat volunteered at the reception desk at Geneva General Hospital every week for eight years until curtailed by the pandemic. A highlight of her later years was playing euchre each week with her dear friends and organizing their luncheon venues. She also enjoyed playing the slots at the casino, visiting with high school classmates at monthly luncheons, attending sewing club get-togethers that started 50 years ago, keeping up with the latest Facebook posts, reading newspapers from cover to cover, listening to her police and fire scanner, watching Jeopardy and devouring ice cream sundaes. Her days were filled with nonstop visits and calls with family and friends passing along the latest family news to all.
Pat was strong, adventurous and loved lots of activity. Despite the onset of severe rheumatoid arthritis at 35, which necessitated six hip and knee replacements and involved daily aches and pains, she never complained and did not let it slow her down. She also was a beautiful woman. In high school, she often was selected as a prom queen, and her keen sense of style continued through the years with her attractive outfits and brightly colored jewelry. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Parish. She also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Pat’s greatest legacy is the beautiful family that she and George created. Nothing was more important to her. Her family cherishes the time they had with her and her spirit will remain in their hearts forever. Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the immense outpouring of love and support from so many friends of the family.