Obituary of Barbara K. Buckley

Barbara Buckley, 88 of Iowa City, passed away, Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Coralville. Services for family and friends will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City. A time of visitation and fellowship will be held one hour prior to the services, and following the services. Private graveside services for immediate family members will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Memorials in Barbara’s memory may be sent to Iowa City Hospice, University of Iowa Foundation, or the Alzheimer’s Association of East Central Iowa Chapter. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Barbara was born on September 15, 1920 at the SUI Hospital in Iowa City, to Frederick Wallace (F.W.) and Clara Hartman Kent. A life-time resident of Iowa City, she grew up in a family with a passion for photography, bird watching, nature, music, art, family and the University of Iowa. Barbara graduated from University High School in 1938 and from the University of Iowa in 1942, with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics. She was a member of Kappa, Kappa, Gamma Sorority, Mortar Board, P.E.O., and Honorary Society, Omicron Nu. She went on to pursue her love of art by taking graduate courses in art and printmaking. She worked for Eastman Kodak, as a secretary at the University of Iowa, and at the University of Iowa Photographic Service, prior to raising her children. She enjoyed a wide variety of activities including: Raphael Club, Shakespeare Club, Bridge Club, the Museum of Art Print Club, participating with the University of Iowa Library Board, the Project Green Board and the Library Friends' Board. She helped with organizing several public presentations of Kent Family Photographs, and could be counted on to retrieve memories and photographs from the Kent archives for several publications. She followed in her father's footsteps, by keeping a photographic journal of her family and life in Iowa City, and in helping preserve his work with the University of Iowa Library and the State Historical Society in Iowa City. As an artist she exhibited some of her works at a Senior Citizen's Watercolor Show and a Summit St. Gallery Print Show. Many family members have her works of art hanging in their homes. As a supporter of the University of Iowa (and Hawkeye fan), Barbara was a life time member of the Iowa Alumni Association and the University of Iowa President's Club. She appreciated the offerings of Hancher Auditorium, the Museum of Art and the University of Iowa Library, as well as F.W. Kent Park and the State Historical Society in Iowa City. Barbara was married to John Stephen Greenleaf, M.D., from February 26th, 1943 until his death, March 31st, 1975. On February 25th, 1979, she (and her family) was united in marriage to Charles Arthur Buckley. Their home was a gathering place for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as family and friends. Barbara is survived by her husband Charles; her daughter, Mary Greenleaf, of Iowa City (former son-in-laws, Alfred H. Carr of North Liberty and the late Daniel Berchenbriter), her son, John Greenleaf, and his wife Karen, of Iowa City; Grandchildren, Chaney Yeast (Andy) of Johnston, Iowa, A.J. Carr (Emily) of North Liberty, Jenny Spinler (Chris) of West Branch, and Kyle Greenleaf (Whitney) of Iowa City; Great Grandchildren, Nicholas and Elly Yeast of Johnston, Gracie and Abigail Carr of North Liberty; Brothers, James Kent, of Salt Lake City, Charles Kent (Helen), of Iowa City, and Thomas Kent (Marcia Nagel) of Iowa City, and brother-in-law Fred Buckley (Ethel) of Florida; and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her sisters-in-law Cloy Kent, Alice Mae Kent, Ann Kent, and Jane Graham, and brother-in-law, John Graham.