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Melanie Lenora Buffington

1973 - 2020

Melanie Lenora Buffington obituary, 1973-2020, State College, PA

Melanie Buffington Obituary

Melanie Lenora Buffington September 14. 1973 September 16, 2020 Dr. Melanie Lenora Buffington, 47, died on September 16, 2020 at her home in Richmond, VA after a nine-year journey with meta-static breast cancer. She was born in Gainesville, FL and was the daughter of Anna Carol and Dennis Buffington of Centre Hall, PA. She graduated from State College Area High School in 1991 and from Penn State University in 1995 with highest honors in Art Education. She interned in numerous museums here and abroad. Melanie served as a middle school art teacher in Frederick County, MD for three years. She enrolled at The Ohio State University in 1998 where she earned both M.A. degree and Ph.D. degree in Art Education. Following graduation in 2004, she served as assistant professor of Art Education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI until 2006 when she continued her career at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond, VA. Melanie served as graduate director for Art Education at VCU for almost a decade. At the time of her passing, she was Interim Department Chair and Associate Professor of Art Education at VCU. Melanie gained many in ternational experiences in Doha, Qatar where she taught summer school programs for seven years. She frequently participated in planning national and international conferences and workshops throughout her career. Dr. Buffington received numerous accolades including the National Art Education Association's 2015 National Higher Education Art Educator Award and The Ohio State University's Marantz Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. In addition to her parents, Melanie is survived by her sister Kristin, brother-in-law Darryl, niece Margaret, and nephew Daniel. Memorial gifts may be made payable to "Penn State" and directed on memo line to: In Mem-ory of Melanie Buffington and mailed to Penn State, 2583 Gateway Drive, Suite 130, State College, PA 16801. Alternatively, memorial gifts can be made online via credit card: raise.psu.edu/RememberingMelanie. Funds received will be directed by Penn State's School of Visual Arts in consultation with the family to best celebrate Melanie's legacy.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Sep. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Melanie Buffington

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4 Entries

Eric umholtz

October 2, 2020

As Melanie's cousin that is exactly 2 months older. I will miss seeing her at family gatherings. My thoughts and prayers to her sister and parents

Leah Warren Witzig

October 1, 2020

My deepest sympathies.

Susan Wilson

September 28, 2020

Anna Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Jim and Lois Sweetland

September 27, 2020

Dear Dennis and Anna Carol,

Both Jim and I have you and your family in our prayers. It’s never easy saying goodbye to our loved ones, but rest assured, she is with Our Lord in eternity without pain and suffering. It’s always hardest on those left behind but the wonderful memories you have of Melanie will fill you heart with smiles and dry the tears. You must be filled with pride from all of her accomplishments. God bless both of you.

Jim and Lois Sweetland

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