Katharine Stone Bucher

Katharine Stone Bucher, 89, of Cocoa Beach, FL died peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2016. She was the loving wife of George Conrad Bucher, a wonderful mother to five sons, and a doting grandmother and great grandmother. Katharine was a dedicated, competitive, duplicate bridge player. Passionate about the game, she earned the Ruby Life Master title in the American Contract Bridge League, and was also a Certified Director. She loved her weekly bridge games, often in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Rockledge, Cocoa and Titusville. She truly enjoyed being in the company of her bridge friends, playing the game that they all loved. Katharine had a career in science, long before women worked outside the home. In 1948 she received a BA in Medical Technology from the University of Delaware, and worked for DuPont in immunology and toxicology research. She ""retired"" in 1954 to marry, and raise five sons. Katharine had a great sense of adventure, and just about every summer she would pack up her family and hit the highway on a cross-country road trip. They logged thousands of miles in the family station wagon, Katharine doing most of the driving, with her husband, George, as her trusty copilot. They visited American's most scenic byways and national parks, including Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Mount Rushmore. She said she looked forward to the days on the open road, seeing the sights, and exploring new places with her ""troop."" As a homemaker and busy mother of five boys, Katharinealso made time to read. She loved books and her reading list was endless, and included works of fiction and non-fiction. Katharine is preceded in death by her husband, George, who was an electrical engineer at the Kennedy Space Center. She is survived by her five sons: John Bucher of Hillsboro Beach; Richard Bucher of Boynton Beach; William Bucher of Raleigh, NC; Robert Bucher of Orlando, and Charles Bucher of Tampa. Two brothers also survive her, James Stone, MD, of Lexington, KY, and Alvord Stone of Los Angeles. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: John Bucher, Jr., of Boca Raton, Kathleen Bucher-Shedd, DVM, of Delray; Mary Katharine (Katie) Bucher of North Providence, RI; Shelley Bahar of Portland, OR; Sarah Bucher, of Washington, DC; and Mary and Elizabeth Bucher of Tampa; and one great granddaughter, Alexia Bucher of Boca Raton. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Hospice and Trinity House for their compassionate efforts, loving care, and inspiring dedication. Memorial Service AUG 27. 11:00 AM Beckman Williamson Funeral Home & Crematory 101 North Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL, US, 32931