Judith Ann “Judy” Buckingham

Judy Buckingham passed away peacefully at home in Vancouver, Washington, on April 23, 2026, at the age of 85. She was surrounded by the love of her family in the home she cherished, overlooking a vineyard with Mount St. Helens in the distance.

Judy was born April 14, 1941, in East Lansing, Michigan, to Gordon and Gladys Rice. She grew up in Grosse Ile, Michigan, and Ames, Iowa, and attended Clarke College and Iowa State.

On December 19, 1964, she married Robert Buckingham in Denver, Colorado. Their love story began at a wedding reception at the Denver Country Club, where Judy, starting her first day as a waitress, kindly guided Robert—on his first day as a doorman—to the front door. That meeting led to a beautiful 61-year marriage built on love, resilience, adventure, faith, and devotion to family.

Judy was the heart of her home and family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Robert; her six children: Rob of Longview, Washington; Michelle of Portland, Oregon; Shannon (Lee Cushman) of Whitewater, Wisconsin; Greg of Vancouver, Washington; Stephen (Katie) of Simpsonville, South Carolina; and Christopher (Kendra) of Portland, Oregon.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to fourteen grandchildren: Kalob Ellis, Cristina Oberlee (Jack), Jim Cushman, Tom Cushman, Isabel Buckingham, David Cushman, John Buckingham, Eve Buckingham, Ellie Buckingham, Jake Buckingham, Will Buckingham, Oliver Buckingham, Charlie Buckingham, and Theodore Buckingham.

She is also survived by her siblings: Tom Rice (Rosemary), Sue Bachman, Rod Rice, Mike Rice, Bill Rice, Gail Jeanneret, Kelly (Kip) Johnson and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Judy worked as a skilled legal, medical, and administrative secretary, bringing excellence and care to every role. Her greatest life’s work, however, was the family she built and nurtured.

A gifted artist and creator, Judy loved painting, photography, crafts, gardening, reading, puzzles, and travel. She was an accomplished watercolor artist whose work reflected the beauty she saw in the world. She created treasured family traditions through annual camping trips, joyful holidays, milestone memory books, and gatherings that made everyone feel welcome.

Those who knew Judy remember her as loving, courageous, creative, fiercely loyal, strong in spirit, and endlessly encouraging. She taught faith, forgiveness, perseverance, hospitality, and the importance of cheering one another on through every season of life.

Robert shared these words: “Through the years, you never let me down. We grew together because we learned how to share everything. We are true survivors. You were the perfect helpmate. We know we are true soulmates.”

Judy’s legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply, the beauty she created, and the steady, engaged kindness she gave so freely. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered.