Nancy Louella Gratosky Buckles, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Lynn Haven Personal Care Home on August 13, 2024. Nancy was born October 7, 1939 in Johnstown, PA to the late John and Gladys Harasin.
She attended school at Greater Johnstown Area, and graduated in 1957. She married Anthony Gratosky in 1966 until his passing. She married Donald Buckles in 1970 and gained three children: Gary Buckles, Bonnie Buckles, and James Buckles. Together she and Donald had Scott Buckles. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; children: Gary, Bonnie, and James; brother, Richard Harrison; sister, Becky Hanley and her husbands, Anthony Gratosky and Donald Buckles. Nancy was a fiercely loyal, loving, strong, independent woman. She loved deeply and gave second chances. Her sense of humor would have her picking and teasing, but she always did it with a good balance. She was a fighter who raised a child as a single mother and did it in her own way with the love and support of family. Family was so important to Nancy as she enjoyed spending much of her free time on the phone talking to Aunt Madeline, Karen, and Shelly (As long as they didn’t call during her soaps. That’s not really true.) She would always make time for them and loved having visits. Anytime her grandchildren would show up at her house, she would glow for days with joy. Nancy generously always had sweet treats to share. She looked forward most of all to her family reunions. She couldn’t wait to hear the latest stories about all of her siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Nancy worked in the cafeteria at Torrance Medical Hospital and Blairmont Restaurant. She was an excellent cook and was famous for her Texas Sheet Cake, Spaghetti Pizza, and City Chicken. Nancy also worked at and retired from Classic Plastics. At Classic Plastics she made many friends as she worked the assembly line making a variety of parts for medical and other uses. In retirement, Nancy’s love of TV, puzzles and Facebook’s Egg Buddies kept her busy for hours. She appreciated all of the friends she made online. Over the past couple of years, she enjoyed spending time with Denise sharing stories, and she made many friends with the staff at Lynn Haven. She gave great advice and was always willing to listen.
Nancy is survived by her son, Scott Buckles (Denise Palmer); daughter-in-law, Karen Buckles; sisters, Pattie Sowerbrower (Ron) and Carol McNulty and brother, Danny Harasin (Brenda). Also her grandchildren: Gary Buckles Jr. (Veronica Sue), Kelly Buckles-Stevens (Frank), Tawnia Nixon (Douglas), James Buckles, and Betty Buckles, as well as great grandchildren: Bryan, Joey, Keith, Brenton, Amanda, Douglas Jr., and Sophia. She was blessed with many great- great grandchildren, as well as wonderful aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She is missed by all.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lynn Haven Personal Care Home and Hospice for keeping Nancy comfortable.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Ferguson Funeral Home & Monument Company, 25 W. Market St, Blairsville, PA 15717 on Friday, August 16, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Jack Lucas officiating. She will be laid to rest in Blairsville Cemetery.
If so desired, memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to Fairfield Volunteer Fire Company, 5414 Rt. 711, New Florence, PA 15944.
