Carolynne Marie (Bowen) Buckner

Carolynne Marie Buckner, 75, of Kalamazoo passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Born in Lansing, Michigan on January 3, 1946 to Roy (Lillie) Bowen. United in marriage to Richard H. Buckner on June 17, 1995.

Carolynne is survived by her husband of 25 years, Richard and children; Vicki (Keylen) Blackmon, Damien Alexandros Dunigan, Step-Daughter Deborah (David) Sherrod, Step-Son Brian (Janise)Buckner, 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Siblings: John Bowen, Marilyn Bowen. She is preceded in death by her parents and her loving sister Jaquelyn (Bowen) Causie.

Carolynne took pride in continuously advancing her education. As a young single mother, she worked extremely hard, she took care of her two children, and all the while aggressively pursued an LPN nursing degree. She would regularly maintain a position on the Dean's list, and upon graduating Carolynne began her life journey of serving others by working as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She later went back to school and advanced to an RN, with a BSN. Carolynne absolutely loved caring for babies and worked at Bronson for over 25 years. In addition to being an outstanding student, Carolynne also taught nursing at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Nursing Program, and later went on to manage nurses at the Visiting Nurses Assoc.

Carolynne was a generous, caring woman, who gave charitably and from the heart. She was fortunate to have shared 25 years of marriage with her loving and kind husband Richard, better known by the grandchildren as "Poppa Dick". She spent her final years volunteering her time at Loaves and Fishes. She was an avid reader and an "extreme" crafter who enjoyed crafts of all kinds. In her early years she could be found in the summers setting up craft booths with her sister, and daughter at Miham Park, the Farmers Market, and anywhere she was able to sell her immaculate cross stitch projects, and other crafts that were made with love and care. Carolynne, better known as "Pink Grandma," found her happiest days spending quality time with her grandchildren, who for many years were her main focus. She attended as many sporting events, and school functions as possible to assure that her grandchildren felt her love, presence, and support. With family roots stemming from Oklahoma, Carolynne was a definitely a country girl at heart. She loved musicians like Willie Nelson who sang her favorite song "Always On My Mind" which she will forever be for those who knew and loved her dearly. Carolynne has been taken way too soon, yet Pink will never be forgotten. Carolynne has been cremated and private services held to honor her life.

To view Carolynne's personal webpage and leave a tribute please visit https://www.langelands.com