Saturday
June 29, 2024 
Barbara Lee Buckham, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Born in Plainfield, NJ, Barbara was the daughter of the late Doris Maxine Hansford Lee and Bernarr Leslie Lee.
Barbara graduated from Cheltenham High School in Elkins Park, PA, in business and proceeded to work at American Mutual Liability Insurance Company in Philadelphia and then at Personal Finance Company in New York; M. Green and Son Attorney and Accountants, in New York and Met Lab Corporation in. Philadelphia.
Barbara married in New York on September 8th,1951 to her husband, Rodney T. Buckham, Jr., Physical Therapist and they lived and worked in New York until Rodney graduated from Columbia University, worked for a year or two and moved on to Pennsylvania, where Barbara’s roots were in and around Glenside, PA. Rodney and Barbara chose to move to Doylestown around 1952, where Rodney purchased a physical therapy practice, and they became members of Doylestown Presbyterian Church.
Four of her children were born in the old Doylestown Hospital, with her youngest child born in (former) North Penn Hospital. They all attended and graduated from Central Bucks schools.
Barbara was active in the community while raising their children. She was a member of Doylestown Junior Women’s Club and was a Deacon in her church. When her youngest child was in fourth grade, Barbara obtained a position with the school district and worked at Central Bucks West High School for ten years.
Once their children had flown the nest they decided to go on an adventure to North Carolina. Their son, Rodney III, was stationed there with the Marine Corps and they were impressed by North Carolina’s beauty and the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1985 they did move to North Caroline, beside the ocean, where they were happy for twenty years. In that time span Rodney retired from physical therapy. They then opened a mini-storage facility with one building. With the blessing of the Swansboro community, they operated the facility and ended with nineteen buildings. During this time Barbara joined the Festival Committee and was treasurer of that committee. She was also a motivating member of the newly formed Swansboro Chamber of Commerce, being President of the Chamber and in 1996 was named “Woman of the Year” by the Chamber. Barbara and Rodney were members of the Cape Carteret Presbyterian Church, during their time there Barbara was active in Presbyterian Women and eventually became the President of that group. While living in Emerald Isle, she was active in many bridge clubs, enjoyed art lessons, and participated in forming Emerald Isle’s new library. Many wonderful years were spent in North Carolina, with hard work and happy times and many family reunions “at the beach” (with and without hurricanes looming!).
In 2000, Rodney and Barbara decided to fully retire and sold their min-storage business and inland investment properties. In October of 2002, Rodney passed away and after a year or so, Barbara decided to sell the condo and move back to Doylestown. She resided in the Westwyk Community and became involved in Westwyk’s Landscape Committee. Being always active, she was invited to be a Deacon in her old church, Doylestown Presbyterian Church, where she became a member of Aide for Friends. Barbara was also a member of the church’s bridge club. In addition to her volunteer work at the church, she was active in the Kings Path Questers Club, at times being their Treasurer. Barbara was also a member of the Village Improvement Association.
Barbara enjoyed her friends in Doylestown, who were so welcoming to her when she returned. This factor meant much to her. She loved reading, gardening, knitting, art work, playing bridge, and she loved her home in Westwyk, especially her screened porch where she could view the birds, deer, and occasional fox.
Barbara is survived by five children: Barbara Ward and her husband Jack of Lebanon, PA; Rodney III and his wife Ruth of Mount Pleasant, TN; Britton and his wife Catherine of National City, NJ; William and his wife Melea of Lansdale, PA; and Virginia Chalmers and her husband Stuart of Topton, PA. Also surviving are many beloved grandchildren: Brian, Joan, Kevin, Aiden, Rebecca, Rachel, Ruthanne, Britton, Elizabeth, Alicia, Codi, Melisa, Amelia, and Wyatt and 15 great grandchildren. Her greatest pleasures in life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,
Also surviving are Barbara’s very close cousins, Thomas and Diane Russell of Seattle, WA and Jack McAfee of Telford, PA and many beloved nephews and nieces.
Funeral to be held at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM.
Donations can be made to the Doylestown Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 127 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA. 18901 or https://www.dtownpc.org/give-today/give-now/.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com.
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