Helen Nadine Buchy

Helen Nadine Buchy, age 92, a faithful wife and loving mother of eight children, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family on October 10, 2025.

Born on September 3, 1933, in Wynne, Arkansas, to Gilson and Garmelia Jones, Helen lived a life marked by dignity, wisdom, and strength. She grew up in a time before electricity, helping her family in the cotton fields and learning the values of hard work, perseverance, and faith that would guide her throughout her life.

Helen married at a young age and devoted her life to raising her family with love and care. Patient, kind, and gracious, she was a homemaker whose creativity and strength shone through everything she did. Helen was exceptionally talented with her hands—sewing, crocheting, tatting, and crafting countless treasures for those she loved. She made thousands of rosaries for the church and dresses for children in Haiti, lovingly stitched Easter outfits for her daughters, cheerleading uniforms, wedding gowns, and bridesmaid dresses. Her home was filled with warmth, homemade dinners, and her delicious cakes served nightly around the family table.

Helen loved her gardens, flowers, and butterflies, and she found joy in canning vegetables, making jellies, and working puzzles. She had a gift for listening and offered wise, gracious advice to all who came to her. No matter the circumstance, every conversation with Helen ended with a smile.

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with her ever-growing family, cherishing every moment shared together.

She is survived by her children: Michael Edward Buchy, Edward Thomas Buchy III (Karen), Rose Marie Buchy, Joseph Gilson Buchy, Mary Therese Bainbridge, Margaret Lee Crymer (Bill), and Sharon Kathleen Mora (Ed); her grandchildren Brandon Jordan, Trevin Jordan, Rebecca Galbreath (Marko), Eddie Buchy, Catherine Buchy, Matthew Buchy (Shyann), Jennifer Barbe (Chris), Luke Bainbridge (Victoria), D.J. Crymer (Rebecca), Jeremy Crymer, Brittany Springer (Lee), Hannah Ray (Michael), Sarah Mora, Beth Mayor (Anthony), Amy Farley, and Corey Farley; and her 19 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilson and Garmelia Jones; her brothers Leroy Jones and Robert Jones; her sisters Louise Childers, Mildred Dodge, and Joann Webster; her daughter Helen Ann Gilleland and her granddaughter Shannon Buchy. She is survived by her brother Troy Jones.

Helen will be remembered for her unwavering love, her faith, and her legacy of grace, beauty, and devotion to family. Her life was a testament to kindness, creativity, and perseverance—a true reflection of a heart that loved deeply and lived fully.

For those who wish to make a donation in Helen's memory, please consider supporting Samaritan’s Purse at: http://samaritainspurse.org

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 5-7 pm at Heath Funeral Chapel in the Tribute Center. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 10 am at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland, FL 33813. Interment at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, 27200 Jones Loop Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33982.

The funeral mass will be live streamed on Resurrection Catholic Church YouTube page.https://www.youtube.com/@RCCS_Lakeland/streams