Gaydean Bucher

Gaydean Bucher, 90, of Canadian died November 6, 2022, at her a residence, Mesa View Senior Living.

Private family graveside rites will be held in the Higgins Cemetery.  Public viewing will be Thursday and Friday 9:00 am till 8:00 pm at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday, November 12, 2022.  Burial and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Born Oct. 22, 1932, to Verl D. and Leila Litchfield, Gaydean grew up in Higgins. She had two brothers and five sisters. Gaydean and her family were survivors of the 1947 Higgins tornado. Gaydean and Franklin Ray (Frank) Bucher married Aug. 12, 1950, and raised five children: Cathy, Larry, twins Terry and Jerry, and Franklin Richard (Rick).

Gaydean was the ultimate volunteer, room-mothering for all her kids, and later, volunteering at the Edward Abraham Memorial Home (EAMH). She was named the 1977 Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year. In 2002, she was honored by EAMH for 30 years of service. In 2007, she was named a Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging State Volunteer Honoree. Gaydean also served EAMH as a board member from 1985-1997.

Always proud of being an election worker and judge, Gaydean was a perennial member of the kitchen crew at the annual WCTU Bazaar, earning status as the “dressing-meister.” For years, she delivered Meals on Wheels. She and Frank hosted their grandkids with summer camping trips and, after Frank’s death on Aug. 26, 1991, Gaydean hosted “Grandma Week” on her own. She enjoyed years of helping organize Litchfield Reunions the families called Gabfest.

She was also preceded in death by granddaughters, Gwyn Anna Ricketts and Katie Bucher Johnson; daughter-in-law, Pam Bucher; three sisters, Norma Brooks, Jony Mae Thomas, and Nona Gray; and a brother, Don Litchfield.

She is survived by her children: Cathy and Doug Ricketts of Lipscomb, Larry and Wendy Bucher of Plano, Terry and Sue Bucher of Carrollton, Jerry Bucher of Arlington, and Rick and Lisa Bucher of Lafayette, Louisiana; eight grandchildren, Lindsay Ricketts and Joe Mehner of Arvada, Colorado, Mallory Roth of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Tim Bucher of Omaha, Nebraska, Meredith Bucher of Berlin, Germany, Madison Bucher of Atlanta, Georgia; Amanda and David Wells of Austin, and Stacey Bucher and Zach Bucher, both of Lafayette, Louisiana; five great-grandchildren, Brady Dean Roth, Peyton Fix, Tate Bucher, and Savannah and Mason Johnson; sister and brother-in-law , Verna and George Morrow, and brother, Dale Litchfield, all of Canadian; sister and brother-in-law, Carole and Harry Appel of West Plains, Missouri; sister-in-law, Dell Comstock of New Braunfels; brother-in-law, Cecil Thomas of Panhandle; nieces, Wanda Clark of Amarillo, Cheryl Underwood of Pampa, and Mary Sue Willyard of Amarillo; and her advocate and special friend, Kellie Reeves of Canadian.

Memorials can be made to the Mesa View Senior Living Activity Fund, 106 Teas Circle, Canadian, Texas, 79014.

The crafts and activities (especially Bingo) at Prairie House were highlights of Gaydean’s almost two years in that wonderful place. Forever thanks to all the amazing staff of Mesa View Senior Living, Dr. Bill Isaacs, Dr. Tony Cook, Hemphill County Hospital, and Hemphill County Hospice.