OBITUARY OLIVE V BUCK January 6, 1920 – September 2, 2018 Olive Vivian Buck OLD TOWN and HAMPDEN–Olive Vivian Buck, age 98, passed into eternity on September 2, 2018, at the home of her daughter in Old Town. She was born January 6,1920, the seventh child of Rose (Willette) and Frank Shorette and was ultimately blessed with 3 brothers and 11 sisters. She is survived by her children Doreen Vaillancourt and husband James of Old Town, Michael Libby and wife Katherine of Holden, three grandchildren, Mark Vaillancourt and wife Katie of Milford, Jan Talcove and husband Scott of Old Town, and Jill Sullivan and husband Tony of Old Town, and six great grandchildren, Laura and Sarah Vaillancourt, Hannah and Ashley Talcove and Nicholas and Taylor Sullivan.
She is also survived by sisters Theresa Petrie Laliberte of Old Town and Donna Petrie Cook of Jay. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, especially Lisa and John Gabarra of Orrington. Many in her large family and circle of acquaintances have pre-deceased her.
She was especially blessed with wonderful neighbors and friends Edward and Rhonda Conners, Jane and Milton Wheaton, Kay Buck, and Nora Gerry. She also enjoyed many years of friendship with Vernon Hamel, his son Charlie, and wife Pam. Most of Olive’s childhood years were spent living at Flea Point in Milford, on the shores of the Penobscot River.
Times were challenging through the depression and there were many mouths to feed in their small house. She loved to tell about “Mumma” baking so many loaves of bread, and that sleeping arrangements meant several sisters to a bed, for practicality as well as warmth in cold weather. Getting to Old Town from Milford often meant crossing the swift river, either by a small row boat, or by walking on ice of questionable thickness in the winter.
Frugality became a way of life for Olive, even when times were better. She was diligent about spending wisely, and paid cash for everything, as she never owned a credit card, never carried debt. In 1940 Olive married the love of her life, Woodrow Marshall Libby.
They lived and raised their family in Bradley, while both worked long hours at the shoe shop in Old Town. Woodrow died in 1967 from a heart attack at age 48, leaving a devastated family to rebuild their lives. In 1974, she married Bernard Buck and moved to Hampden, where she made her home for many years.
She and Bernard were able to enjoy 10 years of gardening, camping, fishing, snowmobiling and traveling together. After his death in 1984 she “kept house” in Hampden, living with independence and spunk for many years. Her last several years were spent being lovingly cared for by Doreen and Jim in their home.
Family and religion came first for Olive. She was a communicant of St. Anne’s Parish in Bradley and later St. Matthews Church in Hampden. Olive chose to undergo aggressive surgery and radiation therapy for thyroid cancer at age 93 because, she said, “I’ll do what I have to”.
She commented that the trips to Mass General Hospital with family members were enjoyable, even if it was for cancer. She continued daytime driving until the age of 95, provided conditions were favorable and the route was familiar. Just being able to go out for a doughnut and cup of coffee, a fish fillet or a few groceries gave her great satisfaction and independence.
While living with Doreen and Jim, she would light up at the mention of going to Governor’s for a bowl of fish chowder. She loved planning an annual summer trip to Young’s Lobster Pound, bringing her own cucumbers and “pop” to accompany the lobster treat. Her absolute favorite meal was home baked beans with hot dogs and coleslaw, accompanied by coffee, and she never said no to dessert!
Olive loved to go fishing, even in her later years. After waiting patiently with no nibbles on the line, she would often remark, “Wouldn’t you think there would be fish in here? ” Olive loved keeping up with the flower beds around her house, and raising vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and squash), baking brownies and cupcakes to share with neighbors and family, reading romance novels, making patchwork quilts for family members, watching “Spin the Wheel” and “Bluebloods” on TV.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Parish of the Resurrection, St. Anne’s Church, Bradley Friday September 7, 2018 at 10 am with Rev Bill (Wilfred) Labbe, celebrant. Interment will follow immediately at Evergreen cemetery for those who wish to attend. Please join the family for a reception at the Parish Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Eastern Maine and Cancer Care of Maine c/o EMHS Foundation PO Box 931 Bangor, ME 04401 www. emhsfoundation.org or to Sarah’s House of Maine 346 Main Road Holden, ME 04429 www. sarahshouseofmaine.org The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to Hospice of Eastern Maine for the wonderful and compassionate care.
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