Mary Joan Buck

Mary Joan Buck Age 90, passed away on May 17, 2014 in Spokane, Washington. The youngest of seven sisters, Mary Joan was born July 19, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota to George and Mary Stracey. Mary Joan graduated from St. Mary's Boarding School in 1941 and immediately went into Nurse Training at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, where she earned her RN degree. After graduating, Mary Joan worked at Saint Joseph's Hospital for many years in the Emergency Room, then on to nursing for Dr. Brokaw in private practice. Mary Joan Stracey married Jack William Buck on November 11, 1945 and had 5 children: Paul, 68, Dave 66, Joe, 64, Chuck, 62, and Mary Claire, 60. In 1970, Jack and Mary Joan moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where she continued to practice nursing and Jack became a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Later, they moved to Juneau, Alaska where they were asked to build Saint Anne's Nursing Home. Jack was the Director and Mary Joan was the Director of Nursing. They retired from Saint Anne's Nursing Home in the late 1980s and returned to Tacoma. Jack passed away in June of 1998. Mary Joan was involved in church activities, reading and gardening and playing with her beloved Yorkie, Morgan. She moved to Spokane in 2012 and lived with her daughter Mary Claire Shegrud and her husband Dan. She moved into Pine Ridge Alzheimer Care Center at Spokane, Washington, in 2013 and was an active member of that community. On Thursday, May 14, in keeping with her deeply ingrained nursing instincts, she noticed a fellow resident in crisis and came to his assistance. While giving aid to another, she fell down and injured her hip. The surgery proved to be too much for her advanced age and, surrounded by her daughter, Mary Claire, her granddaughter Jenna Miller and Jenna's usband, Eric, she went to be with Jack and Morgan at 9:37 Saturday night. Mary Joan Buck was a great lady and will be missed by all who knew her. Funeral Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 10:30 am. (Viewing 9:30am-10:30am). Reception in Holy Cross Church Hall immediately following Mass, followed by interment at 2:00pm at Calvary Cemetery. Please share memories and condolences online at www.edwardsmemorial.com Per Mom's order, no flowers or gifts please. If you must, donations may be made to Holy Cross Church in her name.