April 16, 1928 - June 2, 2023
Betty Buchman, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 2nd, 2023, following a long and happy life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Buchman, DDS (married in 1954), her parents Ellen and Ronald Sanders, brother Charles Byrne (Francis), sisters Ellen McMahon (Hugh), Pat Doughty (Glen), Nancy Laney (Dale), and grandson, Ryan Buchman.
She is survived by her three sons, Mark (Lyndee), Brad (Gloria) and Scott (Dayle), as well as her grandchildren Sara, Brittani, Cal, Maia, Dayna, Riana, Jessica and Marcus Buchman.
Betty was born in Detroit Michigan on April 16, 1928, and lived there until she was seven years old. In 1936 her mother, Ellen, re-married, and Betty and her siblings received a remarkable new stepfather, Ronald “RC” Sanders. They moved to San Diego and resided in the Mission Hills neighborhood, where Betty and her siblings attended school. Betty graduated from San Diego State University, and later worked as a lab technician at San Diego Public Health. She also worked in a private doctor’s office as a lab technician in Miami, Florida before applying to dental school to become a dental hygienist.
Betty matriculated at the UCSF School of Dentistry and completed her degree in dental hygiene. It was there that she met a dashing young dental student and the love of her life, Robert Buchman. They enjoyed dating and living in San Francisco, later marrying in Berkeley, California. Following the completion of their studies, her husband Robert enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside CA, where their first son, Mark, was born.
Following this, “Betty and Bob” (as they came to be known) moved to Stockton, California, where Robert began his private solo dental practice. Betty initially worked as a clinical hygienist, office manager, and homemaker. Betty later had two more boys, Brad and Scott, and somehow continued to manage her home, three bustling boys, and remained the primary accountant and CFO for Bob’s dental practice, which she continued to do until his retirement.
Betty was involved for many years in Junior Aide rummage sales and later in the Stockton chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of America (ALSSOA), where she and Bob enjoyed cooking together and coordinating fundraising events. Betty and Bob were also active members in Lincoln Presbyterian Church, enjoying worship, bible study and fellowship together with neighbors and friends.
In addition to her occupational and community pursuits, Betty was a gifted and highly skilled homemaker, mother, and wife. She enjoyed summer swimming with her sons in Belmont pool, watching her sons’ events as they grew up through high school and college, and socializing with neighbors on many occasions. Betty also was an accomplished camper, fisherman, and even hunter, joining Bob and her sons on countless trips in the San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Nevada mountains, Northern California beaches and throughout the Western US. As their sons grew up and left home, Betty and Bob purchased a cabin in Pinecrest and spent much time together there enjoying the forest, lakes and streams. Their sons and grandchildren spent innumerable trips with them there, enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Betty had a full and wonderful life, highlighted by her effusive kindness to all, her love for family and friends, and her unshakable faith in the goodness of others. She faced many serious health challenges throughout her life but took each in full stride and never complained once. Betty’s ever-present joyful disposition and happiness were an inspiration and a delight to all who knew her.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 12:00pm - 1:30pm on Monday, June 19th, 2023 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi, CA 95240.
Per the family’s request, services will be private.
Flowers can be sent to the Vineyard Chapel, 14165 N. Backman Rd. Lodi, California 95240.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Buchman family.