Nancy H. Buda

Nancy H. Buda of The Villages, Fla., died on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. She was 82.
Daughter of Clarkson and Ann (Mack) Holley, Nancy Holley was born on March 25, 1934, in Kingston, N.Y. She lived in Port Jervis, N.Y., until she went to college. She studied at SUNY New Paltz, graduating in 1955 with a degree in elementary education. Her teaching career spanned 33 years. She taught at elementary schools in Middletown, N.Y., New Paltz, N.Y., Carmel, N.Y., and Port Jervis, N.Y.
She was hired as a teacher by the Delaware Valley School District in Milford, Pa., in 1969 and taught kindergarten there for 27 years until she retired in 1997. After retirement she and her husband, Mario Buda, NYPD retired, traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. On several occasions, in many parts of the world, she heard “Hello Mrs. Buda” and turned to see one of her former students greeting her.
In 1999 Nancy and Mario left Milford and moved to The Villages in Florida. Together they built a beautiful home and made many new friends. Both were active in the community and often served as volunteers to help others. While in Milford Nancy helped out at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Pike County Library, and the Pike County Historical Society, and was on the Selective Service Board #160. She was a member of the Village Voices choir and participated in the annual remembrance of the victims of 9/11. Some of her hobbies were reading, music, travel, nature, photography, and handwork.
Survivors include her children Beth (Bill) Irish of Mount Hood, Ore., and Joel (Amy) Palmer of Pittsburgh; stepsons, Mario (Jan) Buda of Nebraska City, Neb., Michael (Kelly) Buda of Sparrowbush, N.Y., Christopher (Cyndi) Buda of Pittsburgh, and Anthony (Jane) Buda; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and caring neighbors and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marianne (Holley) Mason; former husband, Lee Palmer, father of Beth and Joel; and husband Mario A. Buda, father of Mario, Mike, Chris and Anthony Buda.
A memorial service was planned for Wednesday, Sept. 14, at St. Timothy Catholic Church in The Villages, followed by a reception at Tierra del sol Recreation Center, The Villages. Her ashes will be privately interred with those of her late husband Mario at Florida National Cemetery.
Nancy fought many bouts with cancer in the past 24 years and was in remission at the time of her death. Each time the cancer came back she fought it with grace, courage, and an amazing amount of inner strength. She used those qualities to help others face their cancer diagnosis and fight back with every ounce of determination they could muster.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The America Cancer Society Hope Lodge program (cancer.org).
Arrangements are being made by Beyer’s Funeral Home, Lady Lake, Fla.