Obituary of Patricia Margaret Buckley

Patricia Margaret Buckley – nee Foy – of Beaverton, Oregon quietly passed away from age-related illnesses August 5th, 2020, at the age of 86. Patricia was surrounded by her loving family in her final days.

Patricia was born in Villanova, Pennsylvania on January 31st, 1934, to the late James and Elizabeth Foy. Born to Irish immigrants, she was the youngest of 6 children; Thomas, James, Elizabeth (Betty), and Loretta who all preceded Patricia in death. Her eldest sister Mary is the last surviving sibling of this proud Irish family. 

Patricia is survived by five children: James, Stephen, Annie, Thomas, and Cynthia. And her Daughter in-laws: Carolyn Buckley, Geri Lynn Buckley, and Terri Lynn Buckley. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren; Kelsey, Sean, Ryan, Meghan, Caitlin, Connor, Brennen, Mackean, Taylor, Joshua, and Caleb along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Patricia graduated from the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia (later renamed Drexel University) in 1956 with a degree in Home Economics. She married her late husband, James Leo Buckley, Jr. in 1956 (divorced in 1975). The two would travel the country from the East Coast, out to Washington State, down to Louisiana, to California, back to Philadelphia; they eventually settled in Portland, Oregon in 1966.

Patricia was a huge college basketball and football fan; it was never about the team, it was about the sport. You would often find her in the stands (and sometimes on the bench) supporting every sport her kids played growing up, or on the sidelines of her grandsons’ soccer games, lacrosse games, and even braving the cold in many ice rinks to watch her grandson play hockey. Everyone could tell when Trish was in attendance because of her booming, enthusiastic voice. 

Patricia was proud of her strong Irish roots and passed that love of the Irish onto her children and her grandchildren. Her Mother’s Irish Soda Bread (Soda Scone as it is known in our family) was a favorite treat that she often asked for. Just days before her passing, in her kitchen, we made Soda Scone for her so she could once again smell and taste the memories of her youth. She sat in her favorite chair and ate a small loaf of the bread . . .  a smile came across her lips as the butter melted and trickled down the sides. She closed her eyes, and for a moment, you could see her reliving her fondest childhood memories.

Mom taught us all to never stop. Never stop moving forward even in the darkest of times. We will miss her grit, fortitude, honesty, sense of humor, and above all, the love she had for her family. Just close your eyes, listen to the wind, and you will hear one of her favorite sayings: “This too shall pass.”

Until we meet again . . . Godspeed and Safe Home Mom.