March 5, 1927 - August 26, 2024
Yakima, Washington - Nell Marie Hood Buchanan departed this earthly life on August 26, 2024, to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was 97 years old and had enjoyed very good health and mental acuity for most of her life until her earthly body became too tired to keep up with her mind and spirit.
She was born on March 5, 1927 in West Virginia to Harry Lawrence Hood and Margaret Cecelia Dent. Her childhood was spent in Lakemore, Ohio, and Youngstown, Ohio, and was remembered fondly in spite of growing up during the depression and then World War II. She was immensely proud of the efforts of her parents to thrive under such daunting conditions. She would tell of her father going out into the cold on Christmas Eve to bring back a Christmas tree that was decorated that night. Grandpa Harry raised rabbits to feed his family during a time where meat, sugar, and coffee required ration coupons for purchase. Another core memory of my mom's was a hobo begging at their back door. Even though times were tight, her mother put a meal out for the gentleman. Mom remembered him finishing everything on the table including the jelly that was in a dish for his bread. Grandma then gave him one of my grandfather's coats.
Nell had an early marriage to Paul Dunlevy that gave her two wonderful children, Marsha Louise and Michael Dennis. When it ended, they moved back in with her parents and then they all moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida. During this transition, she went by her middle name due to a coworker also being called Nell. On September 24, 1956, she married Norman Frederick Buchanan and had two daughters, Margaret Marie and Norma Lee. In 1964, they moved to Anna Maria Island which became their beloved home. Marie enjoyed raising her family on Anna Maria and joining Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she made many lifelong friends.
In 1995, after her husband passed, she moved to Ridge Manor, Florida. After being raised Catholic, she gave her life to the Lord at Calvary Assembly of God in Dade City. She then worshipped at Community Bible Church in Brooksville, Florida, where she was very involved and loved, also making many dear friends. She was a regular at the Ridge Manor Bingo games and also forged strong friendships. She excelled at bringing family together for amazing meals and holidays. She was an excellent cook, decorator, and hostess. She was always put together and color coordinated!
In 2020, she flew for the first time in her life to Yakima, Washington, to live with her daughter Marie and son-in-law William Norman Braswell MD. She enjoyed the beautiful golf course view from their condo, loved watching the Tampa Bay Rays play ball, took up a late in life hobby of reading for pleasure, and liked doing puzzles. She was tech savvy and used her iPhone to Facetime all of her beloved children, grandchildren, and friends in Florida. During her struggles with heart disease, she was loved by her caregivers and providers. Everyone who met her remarked on her kindness and sparkling personality.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother Robert Lee Hood and her sister Margaret Louise Hood Daniel. She is survived by her four children, 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson and nieces and nephews, all of whom she was immensely proud of.
Marie will be interred alongside her husband Norman in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. A memorial and celebration of life will be held on Anna Maria Island, Florida. Date to be announced.
