Memorials › Rev Kathleen Anne “Kathy” Buckner Athey
Rev Kathleen Anne “Kathy” Buckner Athey
4 Mar 1946 – 10 Mar 2025
| Birth | 4 Mar 1946 |
| Death | 10 Mar 2025 |
| Added by | Harrold K. Henck on 31 Jul 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/285399184 |
Bio
Rev. Kathleen (Kathy) Buckner Athey, a retired clergy of the United Methodist Church, passed away on March 10, 2025 following a decade-long encounter with Alzheimer's disease. She had just turned 79 years old. Kathleen was born in Houston, Texas, on March 4, 1946 to parents Fredrick Maurice and Delores Louise Buckner. Her dad worked for Southern Pacific Railroad as an accident investigator so the family moved frequently. She spent her early years in Austin, TX, a brief time in Del Rio, TX, and graduated Riverdale High School in Jefferson Parish (New Orleans), LA, in 1964. As a member of the high school dance team, she marched in several Mardi Gras parades as well as the 1962 Sugar Bowl halftime show. After attending Louisiana State University (New Orleans and Baton Rouge), Kathleen earned a BA in Language Arts from the University of Houston where she met her future husband of 57 years Wally Athey. Her education continued with a Master of Education degree from Arizona State University (Tempe) and a Master of Divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology. Married to Wally Athey in December, 1967, they had daughter Susan Lynn Athey the following year. The family moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1978, where she lived until her passing. Family was primary to Kathy. She became "Grammy" with the arrival of Andrew Weedman (1996), Steven Weedman (1998), and Rebecca Weedman (2003). Her great-granddaughter Areliz Weedman arrived in 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents Ted and Louise Buckner, and her sister Vicki Collins. She is survived by her brother Rick Buckner, his wife Nancy (Round Rock, TX), niece Katy (DJ) Herr in Minot, ND, and nephew Ryan Buckner in Minot, ND. Also survived by her sister-in-law Beverly Cunningham (Gause, TX) as well as her immediate family. Kathy used her education training skills in the corporate world for a variety of companies including Ramada Inn, McDonald/Douglas Helicopter, Teams 360, Arizona Public Service (APS), and AG Communications. Kathleen retired in 2013 after serving Paradise Valley United Methodist Church as an associate pastor for seven years. Previously she volunteered or worked at Shepherd of the Valley UMC (Phoenix), St. Matthew UMC (Mesa), Desert Foothills UMC (Phoenix), and Dove of the Desert UMC (Glendale). Kathy loved traveling (Mexico, England, France) where she could use her language skills. But she also liked a quiet night a home with her 1940's and 50's film noire movie collection. A Celebration of Life will take place at Paradise Valley UMC (4455 E. Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253) at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Center. Memorial gifts in Kathleen's name can be sent to: Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), United Methodist Outreach Ministries (umom.org) or Justa Center (justacenter.org). Posted online on March 13, 2025 and Published in The Arizona Republic.
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