Nancy Jean Buxton

Nancy Jean Buxton

Wyomissing, Pa.

Nancy Jean Buxton passed away Jan. 18, 2023, at her residence in Wyomissing, Pa.

She was born on July 18, 1931, in Freeport, Ill. She attended the University of Iowa in Iowa, City, Iowa, graduating in 1953 as a music major. It was there that she befriended several musical characters, including the roommate she was paired with, Marilyn Parizek, who became her lifelong best friend, and future husband Gerald W. Buxton Jr. a.k.a. "Rosco." Nancy and Rosco were married on Dec. 27, 1954. Both played their respective instruments (French horn and tuba) in the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra, which ended up being under the baton of one of their U of I cohorts, conductor James Dixon. They also played in the Iowa City Community Band and the Kirkwood College Concert Band for many years, literally until they could play no more.

Nancy also loved to entertain. Guests or no guests, she never served a meal without a placemat or a cloth napkin, complete with a napkin ring from her vast collection. Always impeccably dressed, Nancy tailored any shirt or pants just so with her trusty Singer sewing machine. Most outfits were adorned with her favorite Native American treasures, purchased on various trips out West. She was an avid reader, devouring book after book in her before-bed reading ritual. She also loved her golf and bowling leagues. She was a wonderful Gramma to Ryan and Amanda. During summer visits to Iowa City, they were treated to campfires, s'mores, Pagliai's Pizza, Rosco's pinball machines, card games and rooftop adventures at the old brick farmhouse on Rochester Court. She was also a loving Gramma to many kitties, grandchildren of her son and wife, despite her allergy to cats.

After retiring from The Buxton Insurance agency, both Nancy and Rosco traveled to various Midwest train shows meeting wonderful folks as they sold popular train video VHS tapes and later, DVDs. After Rosco's passing in 2010, Nancy remained in Iowa City. In 2017, she gathered the family for a nostalgic trip to Durango, Colo., to ride the Durango-Silverton steam train. In early 2019, she moved closer to her son, Gerald W. Buxton III, in Granbury, Texas. Not wanting to play favorites, in late 2020 she moved closer to her daughter, Kathleen S. Volz, near Wyomissing, Pa.

We are fortunate to have both spent time with her in her final years, and she will be greatly missed. Nancy is survived by her son, Gerald W. Buxton III and wife, Shura of Granbury, Texas; her daughter, Kathleen S. Volz and husband, Carl, of Sinking Spring, Pa.; and their two children-Ryan Volz and wife, Bekah, of Beverly, Mass.; and Amanda Volz of Austin, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Jr.; brother, Eugene Fink and wife, Laura; brother-in-law, Richard; and in-laws, Shirley and Ed Buxton.

A future memorial gathering will be held in Iowa City.

Donations can be made in her memory to The Iowa City Community Band, c/o West Music, 1212 Fifth St., Coralville, IA 52241.