Patricia Buck

Patricia Buck passed away peacefully January 7th, 2025, the day of her 94th birthday, surrounded by her two daughters.

Patricia Ruth Holliger was born in Stockton, CA, January 7th, 1931, to Albertina and Dr. Charles D. Holliger. She spent her youth gamboling with her older brother, Jack, and teasing her younger sister, Kathryn. She was particularly close to her father, who she sadly lost when she was in her early teens. Pat would go on to University of California at Berkeley, her father’s alma mater, where she majored in English and met Gene Buck, the man with whom she would spend the next 60 years.

In 1960, they embarked on a grand adventure, backing out of buying a house in Mill Valley, selling a car and boat, and moving to Paris, where Marguerite and Gisele were born. Upon returning to the U.S., Pat who had already been teaching in Alameda prior to Paris, resumed her teaching career. She taught elementary through 8th grade, but spent the majority of her time at Del Mar Middle School in the town of Tiburon, where she and Gene would build a small house with a grand view of which they never tired.

Pat enjoyed photography and traveling. Influenced by her years in Paris and love of good food, Pat would become an excellent cook. As well, she was an early adopter of Apple computers. She loved tech gizmos and wouldn’t miss a MacWorld Expo.

Pat and Gene were avid sailors and spent many a weekend racing on the bay in their classic and beloved wooden sail boat, Ouessant. Trips up the Sacramento River became a much-anticipated summer tradition. Pat was an expert tactician and fore lookout, and a much-lauded sandwich maker. The sailing and boat maintenance, which had been a joyful constant in their life together, ended when Gene died in 2011.

Eventually, seeking more purpose and community, Pat moved to The Tamalpais in 2015, where she was involved in committees, activities, as well as much laughter, surrounded by new and old friends. While most of her time there was fulfilling and exciting, sadly she suffered her last few years with dementia. Despite this, the spark that was Pat was usually just below the surface.

She is survived by daughters, Marguerite (Rich) and Gisele (David); grandchildren Charlie, Natalie, Albert and Willow; her sister Kathryn; and many nieces and nephews. In her memory, please remember Pat’s inevitable farewell: Drive carefully (for you carry precious cargo).