Obituary of Alice Lancaster Buck

Alice L. Buck passed on November 16, 2016 at her retirement community in Ashburn, Va. She died of complications related to congestive heart failure. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Pierpont Blair Buck(Pete) in 2010. She is survived by her sister Carrington Pasco of Richmond, Va. her three children, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Alice was born August 12, 1923 in Blacksburg, VA to Dabney and Mary Tabb Lancaster. She was the youngest of four sisters. She graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1944 and then married Pierpont Blair Buck on December 9, 1944. She obtained a MS Degree in History from UVA. She worked for the Atomic Energy Commission as a historian until her retirement in 1987. Alice was a devoted wife and wonderful mother of three children: Blair Dabney, Dorothea Dutcher, and Katherine Lancaster. In her early years, they lived in Charlottesville, Key West, Mill Valley, and Fairfax. She was actively involved in the community singing in the Choral Society, Church Choir and was also involved in various plays and musicals. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed travel both abroad and to her beloved cabin in Bath County. She faithfully attended her children’s sport competitions and music presentations and encouraged them in education. All of her children have advanced degrees. She was also very involved in the lives of her grandchildren. In 1966 she and her husband Pete, members of Truro Church, became very involved in starting the Church of the Apostles (Episcopal and now Anglican). Alice served in many capacities at the church including leading the women’s ministry group, being a lay reader, and as a member of the vestry. She and Pete did premarital counseling and were very active in Faith Alive weekends. In 1982, Alice and Pete moved to Marshall, VA, where they built a home on 18 acres of land which overlooked a beautiful view of the mountains. They named the farm Covenant Hill, and for many years used the farm in their ministry. Alice loved animals and children. Her daughter Katherine and her 4 children lived next door. They had dogs, cats, birds ,horses, sheep, dairy goats, and chickens on the farm. They shared God’s creation with others by hosting many gatherings of all kinds at their country home. Despite the distance, they continued to be involved at Church of Apostles in Fairfax. They also belonged to Middleburg Tennis Club where they both played tennis regularly until she was 87. Alice’s favorite Bible verse was John 10:10 “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” She did indeed enjoy life and wanted to share God’s love with others as long as she could. Even after Pete died she was committed to reaching out to others and being involved in things she enjoyed. At the retirement community of Ashby Ponds where she and Pete had moved in 2009, she became part of many groups including the drama club where she starred in several plays, the creative writing club, the Songbirds, and several Bible studies and prayer groups. She also made many friends thru her beloved standard poodle, Joey. She lived and loved others with the joy she found in living for Her Lord. She was a wonderful example of how to live life abundantly with God’s love. She will be greatly missed by all. A short memorial service will be held in the auditorium at Ashby Ponds for the residents there on Friday, December 9th at 2:00 PM A longer memorial service will be held on December 10th at 3:30 PM at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St. Fairfax, Va. with a reception to follow in the undercroft. The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to Church of the Apostles; 3957 Pender Dr. Suite 100, Fairfax, Va. 22030