Dorothy Faye Buckingham

January 17, 1925 - December 26, 2016

Jan. 17, 1925 — Dec. 26, 2016 Dorothy Faye Bennett Buckingham Mutschler, 91, a native Oregonian, passed away at Golden Age Foster Care in Milwaukie on Dec. 26, 2016. She fell 12 days before, breaking her hip, and was unable to recover from the surgery. Mom was born Jan. 17, 1925, in Salem to Minnie G. McIlwain Bennet and Solomon H. Bennett. She spent her younger years living in Silverton with her parents and two brothers, John Bennett and Lester “Bud” Bennett. The family moved to Philomath in 1938. They lived at the foot of the Alsea Mountain. Mom attended Westwood Community School and graduated from Philomath High School in 1942. Mom married George “Bucky” Buckingham Sept. 20, 1941, in Vancouver, Washington. They were married 49 years when daddy passed away. On January 18, 1992, mom married Leroy Mutschler in Corvallis. They enjoyed 19 years of marriage before Leroy passed away. Mom had many talents. She tied fishing flies for Les and Bobs Sporting Goods in Corvallis. There are a few old timers here on the Alsea River who talk about how effective her flies were for catching blueback and steelhead. She worked for Larson Lumber Company from the early 1950s through the early 1960s. While working at the Rock Creek Mill, mom took a picture of the mill which impressed Gordon Larson so much, he asked for permission to use it on all his stationary. The mill later moved to Reservoir road and 53rd in Corvallis. Mom enjoyed playing the accordion, though she mostly played by ear. She was part of a band which had a piano player and bass player (which was an upside down wash tub with a broom handle and a clothes line). There was also a banjo player, fiddle player and guitar player. They played at Grange Halls in Alsea, Silver Lake, Oregon, and Morning Star Grange near Albany. Mom would only allow me to attend the dances at the Morning Star Grange because the other dances were somewhat rowdy. She loved to bake and decorate cakes for weddings and birthdays. One of mom’s greatest talents was designing, and building miniature Victorian doll houses. Mom would then design, build and decorate the miniature furniture for the doll houses. She also did the interior decorations. This was very tedious work as she was doing them to a ¼-inch to 1-foot scale. The furnishings included wicker furniture, lamps, wall hangings and petti point rugs. At mom’s request, her collection has been donated to the Benton County Museum, one of her favorite organizations. She was involved with a miniature group which attended miniature shows all over the Northwest. Mom frequently displayed her work at the shows. She was well known and respected for her quality miniatures. Mom had a passion for the history of Benton County. She collected pictures and news articles about Benton County history. She has collected most of the Philomath High School annuals. She also has a collection of articles and pictures related to the history of various sawmills in Benton County. The love of mom's life was her family. It was this love of family that led her to start compiling family genealogy. Not only did she do genealogy for her family but for other family members and friends. As the only child of George and Dorothy Buckingham, this is the last gift I can give to my mother. I will cherish all the memories we have experienced together — the camping trips; teaching me how to cook and sew; putting up canned food; and the love of nature, gardening and an appreciation for the smallest of flowers. I will always remember how proud you were of the cabin you and daddy built at Little Switzerland in Tidewater in 1959. The same cabin we as family still share today. I will always remember the times you and I spent there together, just mother and daughter. You were always teaching me the importance of family. Your love has made my life so much richer. Mom, may you be at peace. I love you. She is survived by daughter Betty Ann Buckingham Harness (Bruce); stepsons Jay Mutschler (Becky) and Jeff Mutschler (Mary); grandchildren Bart Beard, Teresa Beard Karr, Deena Beard Buettner (Darren), Jayme Mutschler, Jerika Mutschler and Jacob Mutschler; great-grandchildren Bruce Siefker, Jenna Sapp, Jason Karr, Alex Buettner, Anna Buettner, Amber Buettner, Jayden Mutschler and Jaston Mutschler; four great-great-grandchildren; and nephews Ed Bennett (Judy) and Jerry Bennett (Connie). At Dorothy's request, there will be a brief memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at DeMoss Durdan Funeral Home in Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy requested remembrances be made to Benton County Historical Society & Museum, P.O. Box 35, Philomath, OR 97370. Interment will be at the Hendricks Cemetery in Lobster Valley.