Mary Buford
Ledyard — Mary Margaret (Higgins) Buford, 90, a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose love of God and country inspired award-winning musical compositions, quietly passed away Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, in her home overlooking lovely Long Pond in Ledyard.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 30, 1926, she was the daughter of Robert Fountain Higgins and Mary Nolley Thomason. Mary married the love of her life, Chester B. “Chet” Buford Jr., in 1948. He passed away in 1994. Mary moved to Ledyard five years ago to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, Betsy (Mary E.) and Bob Graham.
Mary was well-known for her musical talent and loved to put her devotion into song. Her composition, “America For Me,” was chosen as the 2009 national winner of a song contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Over the years, Mary worked as a secretary for her churches and at the University of Rhode Island. She also served as librarian at the Freedom Foundation in Valley Forge, Pa. During their years living in Rhode Island, Mary and Chet were instrumental in founding the Coast Guard Academy’s Parents Association. Upon moving back to Texas, Mary became a high school teacher in Texas, and along with Chet also worked in an outreach program for Cambodian immigrants.
Mary loved the water, sharing her final home together with Chet on Lake Conroe in Willis, Texas. There she was active for 25 years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, she is survived by her children, Robert B. Buford and his wife, Gayle, of Oviedo, Fla., Kathleen M. Owen and her husband, Thomas, of Sugar Land, Texas and Kevin A. Buford and his wife, Cheryl, of Vienna, Va.; along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary was also predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Anne Higgins of Houston, Texas.
A celebration of life will take place on May 13, in Sugar Land, Texas. Please call (860) 326-6760 or (860) 608-5620 for more details.
More details about Mary’s life may also be found at Cremation Society of New England, www.newenglandcremation.com.