Beloved daughter of the late Burleigh D. and Naomi M. (Foster) Buckingham, Charity Susan Buckingham passed away peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2015 following a courageous and valiant battle with cancer. She was 62. Her passing was with the same grace and quiet dignity with which she lived her life. We will miss our dear sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, niece, cousin and friend.
Charity graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to teach music in the Perth Andover and Aroostook schools for 6 years. Although Charity enjoyed her teaching experience, she decided to pursue a career as a lawyer and returned to the School of Law at the University of New Brunswick. She graduated in 1983 and joined the firm of Kenny, Jackson and Murray. She eventually became a law partner in the Grant, Corey, Cable and Buckingham firm and then established a private practice from her home in Hanwell, N.B.
Charity has been active with the Extramural Hospital and was a past member of the foundation and served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In addition, Charity has also been an instructor on various Bar Admission courses and was also a past president of the York Sunbury Law Society.
Charity had many talents which included such things as knitting, sewing, cooking and music. She also enjoyed the outdoors. She loved walks, skiing and swimming. Charity was also a hunter and joined her brother on some moose hunts.
Charity loved spending time at her cottage with family on East Grand Lake and could often be found sitting out next to the lake either enjoying the view, reading her favorite book or having a much deserved snooze.
Charity’s kind personality, loyalty and attention to detail will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Charity was a dedicated and active member of the Hanwell Community Church and was actively involved with the music ministry as their principle pianist. She also served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. As an extension of her church ministry she opened her home to those who loved getting together especially for Home Bible Studies.
Charity was a dearly loved sister to Prudy Libby of French Lake, NB and Stephen Buckingham and his wife Valerie of Fosterville, NB. She leaves behind five nieces and nephews who always held a special place in her heart, Cade Libby (Jayne) of Waasis, NB, Bree Wood (Brad) of French Lake, Cort Libby (Rebecca) of Cold Stream, Laura Chase (Brendan) of Keswick Ridge and Kyle Buckingham of Cole Harbour, NS as well as eight much loved great-nieces and great-nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins. Charity will be greatly missed by her faithful canine companion, "Sophie".
Besides her parents, Charity was predeceased by her brother-in-law, David H. Libby (2014) and several aunts and uncles.
The family will receive visitors at the Hanwell Community Church, 3 Deerwood Drive, Hanwell, NB on Monday, March 9, 2015 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. A service celebrating the life of Charity Buckingham will be held from the church on Tuesday at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. Mike McDonald officiating assisted by Rev. Laurie Fenerty and Rev. Dr. Perry Hanley. Interment will be held in the Lower Fosterville cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hanwell Community Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional and compassionate care of Bishop’s Funeral Home, 540 Woodstock Road, Fredericton, NB (458-1885) Online condolences and the sharing of memories can be expressed through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com