In Memory of Ann Buckley (1941-2026)

Ann Middleton Buckley, a woman remembered for her grace, dedication, welcoming smile, and her deep love and devotion to family, passed away peacefully on Sept. 24. Her passing was preceded by a beautiful final celebration of life two days before with Rector Luke Back of The Church of the Holy Spirit and her close family.

Born on June 18, 1941 in Providence, Rhode Island, Ann was the cherished daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Everett Middleton. Ann, with younger sister Susan, spent most of her life in Lake Forest, Illinois. She attended the Bell School (now Lake Forest Country Day School), The Ethel Walker School, and Vassar College. In 1962, she married her first love, Robert William Buckley Jr. (Bob), with whom she raised three children.

Ann possessed a lifelong passion for the arts and a natural athletic grace. In her youth, she was an avid horseback rider, jumper, and regular participant in fox hunts at Mill Creek. Ann served on ski patrol and excelled in squash, paddle, golf, and backgammon, then later bridge and croquet - always competitive and respectful of the game.

Ann was born a New York Yankees fan but happily adopted the Chicago Cubs when her family moved to Chicago in 1943 where her father served at Navy Pier. Ann proudly supported the Chicago Bears as a season ticket holder for 80 years, yet still accepted her daughter-in-law, a Green Bay Packers fan, into the family.

Acting, dancing and music were a guiding force throughout her life. Her grandmother was an opera singer, and grandfather a playwright and movie producer. Ann briefly lived in New York and proudly worked at NBC but did not pursue acting professionally. Instead, she acted in and produced plays with Playreaders, and she regularly attended performances at Writers Theatre, the Marriott, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Guided by a profound sense of civic duty, Ann dedicated her leadership and vision to numerous organizations. She served as the executive vice president of the Junior League of Chicago, president of the United Way of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff, board member of the Brookfield Zoo, founding Secretary of the Lake Bluff Open Lands Association, Board member of Lake Forest Symphony, member of the Field Museum Women's Board, President of the Contemporary Club of Chicago, and President of the Women's Guild of the Chicago History Museum.

It was no mystery that Ann had a hunger for learning about global cultures and history - deeply rooting herself for years with the Chicago History Museum, and globally through travel. In the 1980s, Ann founded Deerpath Travel, and she traversed all seven continents and visited 34 countries. Her extraordinary journeys included Chile to Antarctica, the Great Wall of China, the vast Serengeti, ancient ruins of Egypt to Peru, Thailand silk trading, the extraordinary Galapagos, kitchens of Lorenzo Di Medici and Paul Bocuse's, to the top of "The Coathanger" in Sydney. Tanzania was a spiritual place for Ann, and Paris, her final transatlantic voyage, fueled her heart.

Ann's compassion and strength were highlighted when her second son was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome. Defying a poor prognosis, she worked closely with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago to redefine an understanding of the disability. In turn, the community embraced individuals with disabilities, and love, patience and understanding were the foundation of her family.

That same dignity and resilience later masked her valiant three-and-a-half year battle with cancer. Showing her characteristic strength, she played bridge, and a croquet tournament with her dear friends at Onwenstia, just before her death - without giving a hint of her struggle.

Ann never turned away a friend in need, and she welcomed friends to join family in her home for a gourmet holiday meal. Each meal promised to be an elegant experience, and the menu often showcased her noteworthy recipes from Soupcon, the family cookbook, and her 1976 publication: The Long Grove Apple Haus Apple Cookbook. She also cherished walks with family and her steadfast standard poodle, Maggie, at Open Lands and Fort Sheridan.

Above all, Ann was a loving matriarch. Her greatest joy was her family, and she spent her life instilling a deep sense of connection, community, and kindness in the next generation. Ann was easily their biggest fan on the sidelines, from lacrosse to volleyball, sailing regattas to Special Olympics, her generosity and spirit will be profoundly missed but forever celebrated by all who knew her.

Ann is survived by her grateful and loving children Robin (Carolyn) Buckley, David Buckley, and Sarah (Mark) Renz; her three grandchildren Madeleine Buckley, and Grace and William Renz; many Middletons and Buckleys, and lifelong friends in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff community.

The family expresses its gratitude to the excellent and caring staff of Northwestern Memorial Cancer Center at Lake Forest Hospital, especially Dr. Bir and Dr. Tsarwhas.

A memorial service in loving memory of Ann will be observed on Monday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminster, Lake Forest, IL, 60045.

In her honor, gifts may be given for the Church of the Holy Spirit to create a Memorial Rose Garden for all to enjoy. https://www.chslf.org/avenues-of-giving