Sue Buckner

Marlyn Sue Buckner, 81, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, was called home to heaven on Thursday, June 27, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Riley (Tom) Buckner. 

She was born Marlyn Sue Addington in Amarillo, Texas, on Jan. 23, 1943, to Paul Mathew Addington and Lois Myrtle Brown Addington, and grew up on a farm in Panhandle, Texas. She moved to Amarillo to study social work at West Texas State University. There, she proudly served as an usher during the inaugural season of TEXAS, the outdoor musical at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. 

She met Tom at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, where they taught Sunday school together. They were married June 14 (Flag Day), 1969. For their honeymoon, they drove across New Mexico – the first of what would become many Buckner family road trips with their three daughters. In 1997, the couple moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where Sue received her Master’s in Social Work at age 60 – the first woman in her family to receive a graduate degree. 

“Momma Sue” had a heart of gold and always made you feel important. She embodied Jesus’ word, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Through her social work and volunteer coordination, Sue provided life-saving care to children, teens, the intellectually disabled, and seniors in need. 

She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, Christian and Democrat. She enjoyed British mysteries (even writing her own mystery), tea parties, sudoku, sewing and quilting. She never stopped encouraging the Buckner girls to live life to the fullest. Sue was a great listener, a wise and compassionate friend, a doer, and a fighter to the end. 

She is survived by her three children: Susan Elise Boeckman (Jeff) of Texas, Erin Buckner Rosica (James L.) of Florida, and Whitney Anne Jayne Buckner of Colorado; grandchildren Evelyn Anne Boeckman, Kathrine Riley Boeckman, Nicolas Patrick Rosica, Emilia Louise Rosica; brother Bill Addington (Mary) of Arizona and many extended family. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Paragon Church, 103 Rio Rancho Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87124 on Thursday, July 11 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow. Sue will be laid to rest alongside Tom on Saturday, July 13, in the Dozier Cemetery, Collingsworth County, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The Sue Addington Buckner Loan Fund (for American citizens of native descent) or the Thomas and Sue Addington Buckner Scholarship at the Opportunity Plan, Inc. (https://www.opportunityplan.com/donate/); or The Building Fund for Rio Rancho Orthodox Presbyterian Church (https://rropc.org/online-giving/) to support her church in finding a permanent home.