Nancy H. Buda, 82, of The Villages, FL, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Nancy Holley was born on March 25, 1934 in Kingston NY, to parents Clarkson and Ann (Mack) Holley and lived in Port Jervis NY until she went to college. She studied at SUNY, New Paltz and graduated in 1955 with a degree in Elementary Education. Her teaching career spanned 33 years and she taught at elementary schools in Middletown NY, New Paltz NY, Carmel NY, and Port Jervis NY. She was hired as a teacher by the Delaware Valley school district in Milford PA in 1969 and taught kindergarten there for 27 years until she retired in 1997. After retirement she and her husband, Mario Buda, NYPD retired, traveled extensively in the US and abroad. On several occasions, in just about any part of the world, she heard “Hello Mrs. Buda” and turned to see one of her former students greeting her. In 1999 Nancy and Mario left Milford PA and moved to The Villages in Florida. Together they built a beautiful home and made many new friends. Both were active in the community and often served as volunteers to help others. While in Milford Nancy helped out at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Pike County Library, Pike County Historical Society, and was on the Selective Service Board #160. She was a member of the Village Voices choir and participated in the annual remembrance of the victims of 911. Some of her hobbies were reading, music, travel, nature, photography and handwork. She is survived by daughter, Beth (Bill) Irish of Mt Hood OR; son, Joel (Amy) Palmer of Pittsburgh; stepsons, Mario (Jan) Buda of Nebraska City NE, Michael (Kelly) Buda of Sparrowbush NY, Christopher (Cyndi) Buda of Pittsburgh PA, and Anthony (Jane) Buda; and many grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and caring neighbors and friends.. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ann and Clarkson Holley, sister, Marianne (Holley) Mason, former husband, Lee Palmer father of Beth and Joel, and husband, Mario A. Buda father of Mario, Mike, Chris and Anthony Buda. There will be a memorial service Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1351 Paige Pl, The Villages, followed by a reception at Tierra del sol Recreation Center, 808 San Marino Dr, The Villages. Her ashes will be privately interred with those of her late husband Mario at Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers she asks that memorial donations be made to The America Cancer Society Hope Lodge program. Go to www.cancer.org/treatment/…/hopelodge/ to learn more about Hope Lodge. Donations may also be made to Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch. Go to www.youthranches.org/ to learn more. Nancy fought many bouts with cancer in the past 24 years and was in remission at the time of her death. Each time the cancer came back she fought it with grace, courage and an amazing amount of inner strength. She used those qualities to help others face their cancer diagnosis and fight back with every ounce of determination they could muster.
