Gloria Ann Davison Punske BUCKMASTER

BUCKMASTER, Gloria Ann Davison Punske Gloria Buckmaster, born on December 15, 1922 in Brooklyn, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017. Known for her spunk and sharpness, Gloria lived life full of joy, visiting with her large circle of friends, spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, attending Mass, shopping and eating out. She grew up in New York and Connecticut and earned her BA from the University of Arizona. Taught elementary school in Benson after graduating from college. Gloria and Casimir Joseph "Joe" Punske were married on August 17, 1946. They were married for 28 years and raised seven children. Gloria loved children and taught elementary school for more than 50 years, including schools in Okinawa, Japan; Blytheville, Arkansas; and Dover, New Hampshire. The family moved back to Tucson in 1969 and "Mrs. Punske" taught hundreds of students at St. Ambrose Catholic School for many years. In her sixties, Gloria began teaching at the San Simon School on the Tohono O'odham Nation. She married Walter Buckmaster on June 3, 1988, left her job at San Simon and returned to teach at St. Ambrose, finally retiring from teaching in her 80s. She is preceded in death by son, John "Jack" Francis Punske and husbands, Joe Punske and Walter Buckmaster. She is survived by six children, Mary Jo (Vince) Anderson of Flagstaff, Julie Suma of Happy Jack, Carol Punske Brasch (Glenn Brasch) of Tucson, Paul (Ann Brown) Punske of Tucson, Gloria "Lori" Punske of Sahuarita, and Gregory (Bonnie Billard) Punske of Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren (with one on the way). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church (www.cabrinitucson.org) or your favorite animal-rescue group. The Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2017 at St. Francis Cabrini, 3201 E. Presidio Road, followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by ANGEL VALLEY FUNERAL HOME.