A Promise Kept

"You go on ahead, Cliff, and I will be there with you soon", our mother said to our dad as he passed away three months ago.  Our 91-year old mother, Mary Midkiff Bueche, kept her promise on May 31, 2016. The beautiful girl, born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 14, 1924, had moved to San Antonio with her older sister, Mimi, and brother-in-law, Albert Barrow, after her own mother, Ramona Martinez Midkiff passed away, and her father Harry Midkiff could no longer care for her.  She met the dashing swaggering love of her life, Clifford Bueche, Sr., a Central Catholic graduate, at her alma mater, Harlandale High School, at a school dance.

She wasn't interested at first, but he followed her home to find out where she lived.  Then he pestered her sister for permission to see her.  After the seventh rejection, she finally agreed to go on a date. Their 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren are thankful she agreed, and that she didn't call the cops!  Mary and Cliff were inseparable for 71-1/2 years of marriage, apart only during our dad's military deployments during World War II, the Korean Conflict, Viet Nam, and the legendary "Cold War". Mary Midkiff Bueche, married Clifford J. Bueche, Sr., in a Catholic military chapel ceremony in 1944 at Camp Normoyle, before he was sent to France during WWII.  Their love letters, between San Antonio and that war-torn far-away place, revealed the depth of their devotion to each other.  That continued through the day of his passing, and through her desire to be with him in the Lord's house. He didn't know it when they met at the dance, but she admitted to him as he died, "I loved you from the first moment I saw you".

She was a life-long devoted wife and mother who supported her husband and children in all their endeavors, even if some of them were a little adventurous - like making coffee under the Eiffel Tower in 1958, camping in the snow on Mount Lemon, panning for gold in the Arizona desert, or night-floundering on a Texas Beach.  As a young woman who grew up in Arizona desert, just after it achieved statehood, and as a military officer's wife, she was always prepared, resourceful, and adaptable.  She could gracefully stow away the fishing gear, pluck a chicken, sew new clothes, then slip on white gloves for formal duties in a receiving line at military events.

When dad retired from the Air Force and became a business owner, she was his secret to success.  She worked in every capacity in all the businesses they started and owned:  Olympic Trophy Center, Olympic Medal Supply, Awardsmith and Elegant Marble Imports.  They included their children and grandchildren in their business endeavors, and those workers who were not relatives were made to feel like they were part of the family. Even though she was raising four kids and working in the businesses, she somehow always had a home cooked meal ready for evening dinner, and enforced the rule that we all sit together at the table to have daily family time.

We, the children of Mary and Cliff, knew we were blessed with unusually talented, intelligent, loving and devoted parents, who were always a team.  We learned a lot from them and their undying love:  Clifford Bueche, Jr. (wife Janece), Betty Bueche, Michael Bueche, Sr (wife Emily), and Ken Bueche, Sr., Captain, USAF, IRR. Then mother demonstrated what true love and commitment are by serving as our dad's primary care-giver for the last nineteen years of his life as his health declined.  She also kept her promise to be with him soon.

For those who wish to do so, in lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate donations in her honor to:  Pilgrim Center of Hope, 7680 Joe Newton Street, San Antonio, TX  78251.

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:00 P.M. with Rosary to be recited at 6:00 P.M. in The Angelus Chapel. Funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, June 9th, at 9:30 A.M at St. Matthew's Catholic Church.  Interment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Arrangements: