Barbara J. Buck passed away on Wednesday May 29, 2024 at Highland hospital with family at her bedside. She was born Sept 4, 1946 in Rochester NY. She was predeceased by her parents, Willard Mengel and Thelma Sage. She is survived by her devoted husband John, brothers Richard Mengel (Theresa), twin brother Bruce (Colleen), nephews Brandon Mengel, and Michael Mengel (Sue), and her great-niece Sammie and great-nephew Andrew. She is also survived by several cousins and countless friends and especially John’s sister and her husband, Emily and Jim See. She surely will be missed by all; she was a great lady.
Barb graduated from John Marshall high school in June of 1964, enjoyed her weekend and promptly started working at Eastman Kodak the following Monday. She spent 33 years at Kodak starting with secretarial work and working up to a film pricing specialist. Barbara took early retirement in February of 1998 and never looked back. She enjoyed her retirement immensely and remained quite active until the last illness that took her life. She enjoyed her four flower gardens, often changing out flowers for new ones, or just rearranging things. She was the social queen among her friends, neighbors, former co-workers, and family. She often asked the family to get together for dinner and maybe play a silly game or two. She scheduled lunch outings for her neighbor ladies, friends, former co-workers, and a special group she called the Reunion Group – her high school friends who helped with the reunions. Barbara was the glue that held her high school classmates together for the last 60 years. She coordinated many reunions over that span of time and worked very hard locating her classmates. Barbara also spent a number of years volunteering at River Edge Manor, an elder care facility. She enjoyed that very much as well.
Barbara met her husband John while working at Kodak, actually it was at a company sponsored bowling tournament. It was instant attraction that lasted 45 years. They found they had a number of things in common including bowling, golf, and traveling. Barbara and John made many trips to Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City throughout their life together.
Barbara would often visit Sammie and Andrew and play games, watch them play outside, or do crafts together with them. She would do anything to see those kids. All of her family members were very important to her.
She loved the holidays and had decorations for all of them. But Christmas was her passion. Each year she put up seven Christmas trees and each tree had a special theme and special ornaments. And the house was full of Santa Clauses, everywhere you looked. She spent hours and hours decorating often starting before Thanksgiving. She loved having people over and giving them a tour. She even had an annual Christmas breakfast for her neighbor lady friends. Christmas was a large part of her life.
Barbara was a tough lady when it came to heath issues. She was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer in 2013 and beat that. Just five years after being declared cancer free, a dentist wanted a spot on her tongue checked out. And yes, it was cancer again. She lost about a quarter to a third of her tongue but she never complained. It didn’t take long before she overcame some minimal speech problems and you would never know she was a two time cancer survivor. But it turns out Barbara had severe hardening of the arteries. That was the factor that ultimately prevented her from healing and surviving the latest health issue.
We will all miss her greatly.
There will be no prior calling hours. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Sunday June 30 from 2-5 pm. It will be held at the Compass Club, part of the Dunnwood Green apartment complex at One Dunnwood Green Lane, Pittsford (across from Locust Hill Country Club).
Should anyone wish to make a donation in her name, please consider the Salvation Army or Wounded Warriors, her favorite charities, or of course, your own favorite charity.
Comments
20 responses to “Buck, Barbara”
To Bruce, Colleen, John, Dick, Theresa and all the Mengel family, I am so sorry for your loss. God bless Barbara and a life well lived. Take comfort in the wonderful memories she leaves behind and in knowing that there is only joy on the other side.
We will all miss Barb greatly. No one can take her place and do all the nice things she did for all her friends and family over the years. Christmas will not be the same without her tour and breakfast. Barb was a wonderful person who would make friends with everyone. Life will not be the same without her to share her always sunny spirit. Condolences to John and Barb’s family.
Barb did a remarkable job with all the John Marshall High School Class of 1964 reunions. I’m sure she is already re-uniting and organizing get-togethers with our fellow classmates who pre-deceased her. The luncheons she organized will not be the same without her!!!!!
I’m sad to see Barb go. She was such a good friend to all of her classmates, and she kept me informed about all our classmates. It’s hard to believe that we graduated 60 years ago!
I am also just as sure that she is with God and watching over the rest of us until we inevitably take our turn to join her. I am so honored to call her”friend “. God be with your family, Barb, and all our classmates as well.
Rest in peace Barb, you were one heck of an organizer.
Loved the luncheons that you organized for all of us John Marshalits. Class of 64. I was looking forward to celebrating our 60th that you were organizing. You would have given us a great reunion and loved planning it.
God and the Angels will be with you now.
I’m so sorry to hear this! Barb’s Mom, Thelma and my Mom, Ann Behnke were very good friends. I know Mom missed Thelma when she passed. (My mom is now also gone for 4 years) Mom often mentioned Barb in conversation.
My condolences to the family.
So sorry to hear about Barbara. We bowled together for years along with her mother Thelma, Dottie and Norma. We sure had a lot of fun. I am she will be greatly missed.
I worked with Barb in the late 80’s/early 90’s at Kodak. She was definitely the social queen and organized Rocky’s luncheons 3-4 times a year for our old group. She will definitely be missed.
So sorry to hear I always like seeing Barb and talking to her. I worked at Kodak and always deliver her mail. We had many laughs together. And then I ran into many times after she retired . John I am so sorry my thoughts and prayers are with you. .
To her family – loss is never easy and grief may last forever but the saving grace is that Barb is no longer in pain. My heart goes out to all. She was a wonderful lady.
To Barb – we’ll have to wait for that luncheon we were to do when you were on the mend, until next we meet. I’ll miss you.
I miss you so very much my friend. We’ve been friends for 50 years. John, reading the tribute you wrote about Barb brought back so many beautiful memories . RIP my dearest friend. Love and hugs to you. Prayers to John.
Please watch over everyone you left behind.
Love,
Carol.
Barbara was a special person. She gave everything to keep our class informed and together. She was a remarkable woman. She will be greatly missed. Prayers for her family.
My heart is broken hearing of Barb’s passing. I did Barb’s hair in Chili for many years. She was so much more than a client, we became good friends. We continued to stay in touch and have lunch on occasion after I retired in 2012. We both began to have health problems and lost contact a few years ago. I tried to reach Barb thru social media with no luck. My heart goes out to John, who I felt like I knew because of all the times she spoke of him. She was a wonderful lady. I know I will find her some day at a slot machine in heaven.
Aching heart-felt condolences to John and the whole family. JB, I have many fond memories of bowling and golf going back so many years ago, and that lunch with you two not that long ago. Barb, rest in peace. JB, rely on the strength of friendships and family bonds to carry you forward. With love.
She was a wonderful person….always remembered occasions with cards or visits
The Anderson yearly summr picnic will not be the same without her. My heart hurts for you John…you made my childhood very special growing up and I have very fond memories of you living with our family….
John, reading Barbara’s obituary amazes me. She certainly was a wonderful person, loved by many. I’m very sorry for your loss.
John & Family, we are so very sad to discover the passing of Barbara. We have very fond memories of sharing special times with you & Barb as Gateway Road neighbors. She is an amazing woman, as you well know & certainly, she will be missed. Take good care of your hearts.
Dear John and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Barb. I will hold the Kodak and dinner group memories close to my heart. I pray for hope and strength for you all during this difficult time.
I’m sorry to hear this news. I’m very impressed with all of Barb’s accomplishments and activities. I was part of the Kodak Office ladies’ dinner night out as we met at different restaurants, shared our lives, and had plenty of laughter. I pray for peace and comfort for John, family, and friends. Barb touched many lives!