Helen Buckley

Helen Maurine Goodwin Buckley, 90, passed away on January 5, 2018 in St George, UT. She was born April 21, 1927 in Blackfoot, ID to Joseph Edgar Goodwin and Helen Edna Parsons.  She married Noel Rollins Buckley (Amityville, NY) in Great Neck, NY on January 11, 1953. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. She was a long time resident of Idaho Falls, ID, Provo, UT and St George, UT.

Maurine attended grade school in Blackfoot, Idaho at Irving Elementary.  She practiced her cursive writing and developed beautiful penmanship.  Her teacher told her that “you are a better writer than I.”  She loved playing with her dolls and her father built her a doll house at their home on Meridian.  There were three more brothers following her, making her the only sister with seven brothers.

1941, her father, Joe Goodwin was called to build the Idaho Falls Temple; the family moved when Maurine was in 8th grade to Idaho Falls (IF) where she attended O.E. Bell Junior High.  One of her favorite activities was ice skating at Tautphaus Park (an outdoor rink).  She would walk the three miles to the ice rink, skate, then walk home.

During high school, Maurine worked at Leo LeVines Dress Shop, downtown IF.  She loved dancing and danced in many floor shows.  Maurine graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1945, at which time she had saved enough money to attend a year at Brigham Young University. She then served an LDS mission for 18 months to the Mid-Atlantic States 1951-1952.

Maurine married Noel Rollins Buckley (Amityville, NY) on January 11, 1953 in Great Neck, NY.  They eventually returned to Idaho Falls where Maurine was very active in church callings including Primary and was a Gospel Doctrine teacher.  She was vocal in school board decisions and local politics.   Maurine was a dance instructor for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and was a pioneer in television programming where she hosted her own local ballroom dance television show.

Maurine began teaching children by helping her friend, Lorraine Wright, in a private kindergarten. She later took over the kindergarten and moved it into her home around 1970.  She instinctively knew how to teach children and was especially skilled at teaching them how to read.  She taught over 500 children how to read by teaching them phonics.

The family moved to Provo, Utah in 1976 where Maurine continued working with children and her friend Mary Ellen Stahlie at the Utah Institute of Neurological Development; this time with children who had learning disabilities and taught them how to read also.  Many of these children went on to live more normal lives than had been anticipated.

1992, her youngest daughter, Margie, suffered a stroke that left her totally paralyzed, in a locked-in syndrome condition.  Maurine and Noel then focused all of their energy to Margie’s health and wellness.   In January 2000, they moved to St George, UT to a climate and home that would better facilitate Margie’s care.  She and Noel provided thousands of hours of self-less care for Margie until their health declined due to age. Maurine loved her friends, family and neighbors in St George. She was a fine example of total service to others.

What can be said about a virtuous woman who loved the Lord and taught her children and grandchildren through her example of living the Gospel? She would share her testimony whenever she had a chance both verbally and through her actions. She taught us everything about building righteous families. And when things didn’t always go as planned, she taught us how to be accepting and forgiving of others’ foibles. We will be eternally grateful for her explanations and teaching of gospel principles and family love. Truly, she exemplified the womanly traits found in Proverbs 31:10. “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” We are better people because of her love for us. It was always non-judgmental and unconditional. She loved us. And we loved her.

She is survived by her brother Reese Goodwin, Provo, Ut and by her children, Robert Buckley, St George, UT, Helen (Lloyd) Patterson, Provo, UT, and Margie Buckley, St George, UT, eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 15, 11:00AM at the Snow Canyon 11th Ward chapel 1625 N 2400W (Lava Flow Dr) St George, Ut. A viewing will be held prior to the service 9:30-10:45 am. Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery.