Ruth Carol Mullen Buckley, 88, of Lebanon, died Sunday, May 28, 2023, in her home. Ruth was born Dec. 12, 1934 in Buffalo, N.Y. to Paul Mullen and Ruth Callahan Mullen.
She grew up in the Buffalo, N.Y. area and loved spending summers on Lake Erie. She met her future husband, James Buckley, at the University of Buffalo where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in nursing. They were married Dec. 19, 1954 and together they shared a wonderful marriage and traveled extensively. They were blessed with a son and a daughter, Paul and Gail.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James, who passed away Aug. 26, 2012.
She is survived by her daughter, Gail Slye and her husband, Joseph of Lebanon; her son, Paul James Buckley and his wife, Paula of Richmond, Va.; five grandchildren, Jeremy Slye and his wife, Megan and Justin Slye and his wife, Erin, all of Lebanon, and Sara Buckley and her husband, Isaac Wood of Washington D.C., Hanna Martin and her husband, Josiah of Richmond, Va. and Emma Buckley of Williamsburg, Va.; nine great-grandchildren, Rylee, Finnley, Rory, Madelynn, Calahan, Ardyn, Harlan, Tobin and Eli; and two brothers, Dr. Robert Mullen and his wife, Dr. Linda Mullen of Flagstaff, Ariz. and Jack Mullen and his wife, Marjorie of College Station, Texas.
Ruth followed James to many locations during his thirty years he served in the Navy. It was said that she was the ideal military wife and loved renovating homes wherever they lived. She had a formal style that she would implement into each home.
She loved traveling. She and James visited each continent. James and Ruth traveled around the world, visiting China, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, South America, Israel, and Egypt.
Ruth was known to be fearless and very independent. She was very direct and you knew just where she stood on any particular topic. She stayed involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and looked forward to the times she could be with them in person. Ruth also enjoyed collecting antiques, reading, gardening and volunteering. She was a very special lady who was respected and loved by her family and friends. She leaves a legacy that will live on for years to come in the lives she had the privilege to teach and to know.
All services Ruth Carol Buckley will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon. For more information or to visit the website go to www.holmanhowe.com.
