Obituary of Clara Vilmanyi Buckelew

Clara Vilmanyi Buckelew 7/4/1928 - 9/13/2015 Clara Buckelew, beloved mother, grandmother and great- grandmother passed away of natural causes surrounded by her devoted family. She was the youngest of three, born in New Jersey of Hungarian immigrant parents. After high school, she came to Arizona to attend nursing school in Phoenix at Good Samaritan Hospital where she graduated from the RN program. It was there she met the love of her life, a farmer named Bob Buckelew. While in nursing school, they secretly eloped and began a romantic and committed 65 year marriage. Two years later while living on a farm outside of Tucson, they welcomed the first of four children and after share cropping around the state, they leased and then bought their own farm at Three Points. Clara applied her nursing skills on a voluntary basis and truly loved life on the farm. In 1964, they moved to Oro Valley Country Club where she fell in love with golf and was actively involved in city leagues both playing and serving on various boards. Volunteerism and being a supportive friend were part of her character. Clara greeted everyone with a radiant smile, was always encouraging and truly saw the sunny side of all situations. A fantastic cook, with a Hungarian flair, she was always inviting extra guests to the table. Those who were lucky enough to know her would have appreciated her positive, loving and encouraging manner whether playing golf, fishing at their Montana cabin, mothering abandoned wild animals, or holding and singing with the new members of her growing family. Clara is survived by her daughters, Barbara McQuirk (Bill), Dorothy Buckelew, Clara Watson (Bob); her son, Nick Buckelew (Laurie); her six grandchildren, Clint, Greg, Clara, Amy, Alyssa, Jared and five great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, "Dreamboat", her brother, Nick and is survived by her brother, Daniel Vilmanyi. A special thanks to all the caring individuals at Amber Lights and Casa de la Luz Hospice. As per Bob and Clara's wishes, their cremated ashes will be blended and spread at both the farm in Three Points and their Montana family cabin at a later date. "All because two people fell in love. . ." Arrangements made by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.