Carrie Elaine Buettner

Carrie Elaine Buettner, independent until the end, passed away Wednesday February 3, 2010 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She was born and raised in Sterling NY but became a Floridian in 1977 when she made Sanford FL her home for over 30 years with late husband Barney Buettner. Prior to moving to FL she proudly served in the volunteer ambulance corps in Wolcott NY, was a self taught amateur artist, a gifted seamstress, a devoted mom and homemaker. She was intellectually curious, creative, athletic, and always open to new things. Carrie had a lifelong passion for the arts and was commissioned to paint a variety of works for colleagues, family members, and friends. Her love of both art and travel took her to Australia, Canada, up and down the waterways of the east coast and other inspiring outdoor places. It was through these travels in recent years that she met her dear friend and companion Mike Bonkowski. As an active RV-owner, she expressed joy when camping on the Seneca River in upstate NY during the summer months. She delighted in sharing a great cup of coffee and a slice of homemade apple pie with her friends in upstate NY and her neighbors in Punta Gorda, FL. Carrie's loving dog Spanky was her constant companion over the past 12 years. She is predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Barney (Cecil) Buettner. She will be greatly missed by daughters Linda Buettner and Sue Brazo, brother Carlton Lyon, granddaughters Trista Mann and Amber Lesovoy, grandson Chad Green, her five great grandchildren, and her extended family and many friends. Plans are being made for memorial celebrations of her life in both New York and SW Florida this spring.