Harlene Matthews BUCHELLA

BUCHELLA, Harlene Matthews passed away November 15, 2017. Harlene was born August 27, 1932 in Oakland, California to Justine Wardlow and Elwood Matthews In her early years she was raised in Greenville, California, a mountain town where her mother's family had settled in the late 1800's. Growing up she loved dance and music, and had childhood ambitiions of joining her hero, Shirley Temple, in a career in Hollywood. Fate intervened when her family later moved to the small mining town of Tiger, Arizona. She went on to study Nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, where she resided with the nuns during her schooling. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. In 1952 she married Frank Buchella, Jr. a Mining Engineer, and a graduate of the University of Arizona, in a ceremoney at the Oracle Union Church. Together, they had four children; raised mostly in Tucson. Harlene was an intelligent, kind, gentle person with a great sense of humor. She loved nature, hiking, gardening, music, dance, theatre, design, animals, and most of all her family. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Glenn Buchella, Diane Carile Rich (Bob), Jule Ann Van Dran, and Tina Ann Buchella (Chip), all of Tucson, as well as by her favorite dog Buster. The family would like to thank our loyal and tireless caregivers, Catherine Gard, Diane Matthews and the late Darlene Casas. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the staff at Casa De La Luz Hospice for their kind and compassionate care in Harlene's last days. She willl be interred at East Lawn Cemetery in a private family ceremony. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimers Associations or Casa De La Luz Hospice. She will be greatly missed. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE HEATHER MORTUARY.