Lillian Janet Buffington

Lillian Janet (May) Buffington, “G-Ma”, passed from this earth on April 2, 2022. Mom was born in Reynolds County, Missouri on November 27, 1934, to Willard May and Agnes (Sanders) Bucher and passed at the Vista Mesa Assisted Living home in Cortez, Colorado, surrounded by loved ones. Mom married George Buffington on December 24, 1954 and enjoyed 40 years of marriage before dad passed in 1994. Four children were born to this union: Greg Buffington, Brenda Martinez, Lana Hancock and Matt Buffington.
Mom spent her earlier years in St. Louis, Missouri before her family moved to Egnar, Colorado in 1948. Mom attended the Dolores County High School where she was a cheerleader and the first Homecoming Queen. After mom and dad married, they made their home in Dove Creek, Colorado before moving to Slickrock, Colorado where all four of their children were born. The family moved to Dove Creek, Colorado in 1966 where they made their permanent home.
Our mother was primarily a homemaker but spent time working as a butcher for her stepbrother in Dove Creek. Mom was deeply dedicated to her family, spending countless hours and traveling countless miles following her children and grandchildren as they participated in multiple athletic events and other activities. Mom was an exceptional artist who painted, drew, crocheted, embroidered, quilted, upholstered and worked with ceramics, all of which she shared with her family and friends. Mom was also deeply religious and true to her faith, reaching the level of deaconess with the 7th Day Adventist Church in Dove Creek. Mom was also a member of the VFW Troy Young Auxiliary Post 5181 in Dove Creek.
Our mother was the kindest, sweetest and most humble person on the face of this earth. She was loved by her family, friends and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. Mom’s greatest pleasure in her later years was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family members. Mom was a rock to her siblings and adored by her in-laws. Mom’s family and friends lost a lady who can never be replaced, and this world became less kind and gentle with her passing. Mom will be missed like no other.
Mom was preceded in death by both her parents; her husband, George Buffington; sister, Evelyn May; brother, Leamon May; father-in law, Frank Buffington; mother-in-law, Elsie Martin; brothers-in-law, Glenn Buffington, Bud Carr, Pete Neely, Bob Deiderich, David Allen, Jim Johnson, Jim Ivie, Homer Vinger and Dee McFarland; sisters-in-law, Gladys McFarland, Hazel Allen, Aleen Neely, Belle Ivie, Shirly Deiderich, Zeb Vinger and Dorothy Johnson; step siblings, Rosie Santoyo (Carl), Louie Bucher(Virginia), Wilburn Bucher; half siblings, Bud May and Alan May.
Mom is survived by her sisters, Judy Buffington, Mary Carr; half-sister, Donna Brunet; sister-in-law Wilma May; brother-in-law, Ray (Pat) Buffington; half sisters-in-law, Cheylene (Bud) May and Wendy (Alan) May; step sister-in-law, Zelda Bucher; children, Greg Buffington, Brenda and Gary Martinez, Lana and Tom Hancock, Matt and Sonie Buffington; grandchildren, Rory Martinez, Lindsey and Steve Scales, Garrett and Lorraine Hancock, Cheyenne Hancock, Drew and Jessica Buffington, Shayla Buffington and Chris Smith; great grandchildren, Pepper, Walter, Harper, Ella, Kaybree, Karmen, Kyle and Adleigh; and countless nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at Peel Cemetery, 5164 Road A, Dove Creek, Colorado on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. by Ertel Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made in Mom’s memory to the VFW Troy Young Auxiliary Post 5181, P.O. Box 894, Dove Creek, CO 81324.