Helen S Buck

Helen Anna Sassano Buck died on June 7, 2017. She went peacefully, in her sleep, with her daughter Lori beside her holding her hand. But a much better story to tell is the one of how she lived. She was born on Sunday, March 26, 1922, the same year as Betty White, Jack Kerouac, Ava Gardner and Judy Garland. 1922 also brought the dedication of the Lincoln Monument, Prohibition and Readers Digest Magazine, which Helen was a fan of for years to come. She was born in Butler, PA just outside of Pittsburgh, and was the eldest of Edna and Peter Sassano’s three daughters. She moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1934 when her father relocated to open a service station in Lowes Camp Ground and she graduated five years later from St. Pete High School in 1939. Shortly after, at a dance for the Maritime Merchant Marines, she caught the eye of Jack Irving Buck, while dancing with his Commanding Officer. He decided right then and there to win her over and four children, nine grandkids and sixteen great-grandkids later, its safe to say he succeeded. Helen and Jack raised a family and then were able to travel the world together, a hobby she continued for most of her life even after his passing in 1977. She earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree from the University of South Florida and spent eighteen years teaching at Tyrone Elementary School from 1969-1987, then another twenty volunteering for Bear Creek Elementary. The Ronald McDonald House and Dali Museum, in St. Petersburg, were each a big part of Helen’s life and she spent twenty-five years volunteering for both organizations. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Education Sorority, Garden Club, Jungle Circle and the Retired Teachers Association. She loved spending time in her garden, crossword puzzles, reading, jigsaw puzzles, aggravation and taking pictures of her travels. She was an amazing cook, who truly appreciated the use of butter, salt and the importance of dessert. To her family and friends she was loyal, loving, generous, persistent, incredibly strong and just unapologetically herself. She had a quick wit and was the first to always say what everyone else in the room was thinking. Helen was a true matriarch in every sense of the word and to say that she will be missed would be an understatement. She is survived by her sister Eleanor Alderson, Her children: Toni Carter (Robert), Steve Buck (Dana), Lori Ashmore (Merritt) and (self-described) favorite and best-looking child, Bruce Buck. Grandchildren: Nathan Carter (Jennifer), Jeremiah Carter (Shannon), Jesse Carter (Madison), Kyle Buck (Kelly), Kendal Leavengood (Ryan), Elizabeth Barton, Christine Mainor (Trey), Jacklyn Flood (Sean) and Jake Buck. Great Grandchildren: Nicolas, Kelsey, Gracyn, Jack and Landon Carter, Ethan, Collin and Emma Buck, Hannah, Bailey and Claire Leavengood, Maddie and James Barton, Knox and Penn Flood and (coming soon) Hank Mainor.