Marie Ann Rea Buck

Beloved Marie Ann Rea Buck was 92 years old when she went home to be with our Lord. She was born on May 15, 1933 and passed on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Marie Ann was born in Dover and was a lifelong resident, cherishing fond memories with her family, friends, neighbors and community and sharing her loving kindness with everyone she met.
Marie Ann began her education and graduated from Sacred Heart School of Dover and was a 1950 graduate of Dover High School. She went on to college to major in personal management at New York University's School of Commerce. She also minored in Italian and music and graduated with her bachelor's degree in August of 1954 from NYU.
When completing her studies at NYU, Marie Ann participated in varied extracurricular activities. They included treasurer and social chairman of the Italian Club, publicity chairman of the Opera Club, soprano in the Washington Square College Chorus and social chairman of the OCC house plan organization. Marie Ann went on to work in the field of Personnel Management where she enjoyed helping others in her career as well as in her personal life.
Marie Ann was a devoted wife and mother, applying her broad skills and knowledge in her family life. She married her husband of 64 years Robert James Buck of Bellevue, Washington and then focused her undivided attention on her family's well being and education, putting aside her professional aspirations to give her loving care to her husband, children, parents, aunts, uncles, and extended family.
Marie Ann was an active PTA President and officer at Academy Street School in Dover, a homeroom mother, and she also served on parent advisory committees for special education for the Dover Board of Education. She advocated for early screening for students for environmental hazards and she fought to bring to light the dangers of lead poisoning. She also took private lessons in the Bronx, New York, on how to teach children with dyslexia how to read and write.
Marie Ann was predeceased by her parents, Professor Joseph and Rose (Tirella) Rea, of Dover, and guardian angel daughter Ruth Buck of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her father, Professor Joseph "Giuseppe" Rea, was a talented musician who had a music store in Dover and gave lessons, and his daughter Marie Ann was one of his devoted pupils, mastering the piano and enjoying music and singing. Years after her father's passing, people would tell her how fondly they remembered her father's music store, as well as others remembering her mother's exceptional cooking and baking, which provided many years of happy memories.
Marie Ann is survived by her husband, Robert James, of Bellevue, Washington; daughter Christina and her husband Juan Carlos Bombin, of Dover; sons Robert Eric and Joseph Francis of Dover and Morris Township; and daughter Marie Ann of Randolph. Her memory will be a source of comfort and peace for her family, relatives, neighbors and friends, many who predeceased her, and she will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
Marie Ann was a devoted member of Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parishes during her life, where she enjoyed volunteering to read at the 12 PM weekday masses at Holy Rosary and praying the rosary. She also enjoyed singing in various choirs with her church and also with the Delaware Valley Choral Society. The Catholic principles of kindness, charity and goodwill provided the foundation that guided Marie Ann throughout her life.
Visitation is Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph, NJ, www.tuttlefh.com. The Funeral Mass is Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Church, Route 46 West, Wharton. Burial will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Mine Hill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to support New Jersey's developmental disabilities community through The Arc of New Jersey, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all contributions are 100% tax deductible. Please mention "In Memory of Marie Ann Rea Buck" if you are able. If you prefer, you can make your donation by phone at 732.246.2525, x25; or by check payable to The Arc of New Jersey, and mailed to The Arc of New Jersey, 985 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.