Obituary of Gladys R. Buchner

Gladys Rockwell Buchner, 97, of River Ridge Living Center, Amsterdam, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 30.  Born in Broadalbin, New York on November 29, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Charles Herbert Rockwell and Ada Angeline (Crannell) Rockwell. She is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Malcolm Miles Buchner and her brother, James Frederick Rockwell. Gladys graduated from Broadalbin High School in 1941, where she was active in sports, music, and cheerleading. She later attended the State Teachers College at New Paltz.

Gladys and Malcolm were married in Pittsfield, MA on November 22, 1944 and renewed their vows at the Forest Avenue Methodist Church in Amsterdam on November 26, 1944, while Malcolm was home on leave from the Army. After living for over 35 years on Finlay Street in Amsterdam, in 1982 Gladys and Malcolm renovated the Buchner family camp in West Galway to be their retirement home. Their acre of land included fruit trees, beautiful perennials and annuals, and vegetable gardens, attracting many varieties of birds, small animals, and deer.

Gladys worked in a number of local stores, including New Paris Shop, Lurie's Department Store, the Yardstick, and Carl Company utilizing her extensive knowledge of knitting and sewing. She also led the Children's Choir at Forest Avenue Methodist Church and a Brownie Troop at McCleary School.

Gladys was also a talented pianist entertaining generations of family and friends. She was "fired" at the age of 9 by her first piano teacher when the teacher found that Gladys could play almost any tune by ear rather than learning to read the sheet music.

Gladys' favorite pastimes over the years included boating on the “Gladie Bee” with her beloved Malcolm, children and friends on the Sacandaga; playing the piano and organ; doing crossword puzzles; quilting; knitting; sewing doll clothes; baking cookies; and, most recently, knitting mittens for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gladys is survived by four children: Gail (Michael) Breen of Schoharie, Lee Peeke of Mariaville, Rebecca Buchner of Saratoga Springs, and Rocky (Pam) Buchner of Hagadorn Mills. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Tracy (Jason D’Amore) Breen, Katherine (William Tai) Breen, Patrick (Lindsay) Breen, Jill (Jamison) Facteau, Christopher Peeke, Laura Penge Burda, Jason Penge, Clinton Buchner, Craig (Alexis Dane) Buchner, T. J. Buchner, and Drew Buchner as well as 14 great-grandchildren: Aidan, Tobey, and Jonah D’Amore; Cody and Casey Burda; Devon and Keirsten Penge; Francesca Below; Jackson and Charlotte Facteau; Delphine Buchner; and Zoey, Desmond, and Jaime Breen; and a cousin, nephews, and nieces.

There will be no calling hours. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Gladys' name to the Galway Volunteer Fire Department, 5237 South Street, Galway, NY, 12074. The family would like to thank the staff of River Ridge Living Center, especially those on B Wing and in Activities, for their loving care of Gladys over the past three years.