Barbara Buice: An Amazing Woman and Friend
Dear Friends,
Barbara Buice, my friend and golfing buddy of 20 years, passed away on November 9 after many, many months of pain and sickness. Though I miss her terribly, I am so glad that she is finally pain-free and at peace.
The obituary in the paper was shy of telling her full story so I wanted to do that here. Her resume is filled with substance and devotion to her community.
She grew up just 10 miles from me in Oxford, Alabama. She graduated in 1964 from Jacksonville State with a B.S. in Mathematics and Chemistry with Special Honors in Mathematics. In 1965, she began her graduate work at UAH earning a Masters of Science in Operations Research with a focus in Engineering. From 1985 to 1996, Barbara worked for the Department of Defense at Redstone Arsenal as a Supervisory General Engineer, GS 14 & 15. She served as Chief of the Command, Control, & Communications Division of the Missile and Space Intelligence Center, supervising engineers and scientists and managing defense intelligence projects with budgets totaling $10 million.
Also in 1985, she co-founded Three Springs, Inc.(TSI) She was a board member and major shareholder. Three Springs provided behavioral health care for adolescents. By 2003, the company had 20 programs in 7 states and multiple contracts with the AL Department of Human Resources, the AL Department of Youth Services and the Federal Justice Department. For 3 years, 1991, 1992, and 1993, TSI was on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing companies in the US.
In her spare time (!), Barbara graduated form the University of the South, (Swanee) School of Theology in Education for Ministry for Lay People. Indicative of her deep faith, she was always studying, asking questions, digging deeply into her faith, and loved her church family at the Church of the Nativity.
Her volunteerism equaled her business acumen. Here are just some of her contributions:
– In 1999, she was the Founding Chair of the Women’s Business Council of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce
-She served on the City of Huntsville Industrial Development board for 16 years
-She was on the BBB of North Alabama which she chaired in 2004
-She was a co-founder of the Women’s Economic Development Council (WEDC), which she chaired in 2006, spearheading their Women On Board initiative.
-She was a co-founder of the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama and its chair in 2007
-She was a board member of the Huntsville/Madison Co. Chamber of Commerce from 2001-2004
-She was a member of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 13, 1999/2000
-She was on the board of Girls, Incorporated and an officer in 2003
-She was devoted to the United Way, helping to found the Alexis de Tocqueville Society and was a United Way Tax Aid volunteer from 2008 until she became too sick to participate. She loved doing taxes for those who couldn’t afford professional help.
-She was one of the original committee members along with myself for the inaugural Women Honoring Women event in 2002 for the WEDC Foundation.
-Barb was a member of our Reading Ladies Book Club for 15 years which she always enjoyed.
She loved her family, especially her 3 granddaughters and 2 great grandsons. She was an avid pickle ball player, a snow skier, and a fantastic golfer with a sweet swing and a 250-yard drive. She also refereed high school football in her younger days and was a star soft-ball player. Her athletic ability was as awesome as her passion for life.
I’m a better person for having known her. The community has lost a woman of significant statue. I have lost a dear friend.
This photo captures her passion and charm!
Linda
November 15, 2017 @ 1:34 pm
Such a fine lady who gave us so much. We are all blessed because of her life.
November 15, 2017 @ 1:35 pm
Amazing woman and a very nice tribute… you must feel a great loss.
November 15, 2017 @ 1:44 pm
A glorious tribute. I grieve with you.
November 15, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
What a wonderful tribute to a treasured friend of many years. She was an amazing woman with a soft, gentle spirit. RIP Barbara..
November 15, 2017 @ 2:24 pm
Im so sorry for your great loss. Her work was done. Memories of her and your good times with her live on.
November 15, 2017 @ 2:38 pm
An astounding legacy; yet Barbara wasn’t focused on that. She was just Barbara.
November 15, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
This is a fine tribute, Linda.
November 15, 2017 @ 4:01 pm
What a wonderful tribute, Linda! Very impressive lady.
November 15, 2017 @ 4:26 pm
A fitting tribute to a wonderful woman!
November 15, 2017 @ 4:37 pm
Wow! That is amazing! When did she sleep?! And how in the world did you get all those details?! I sure hope you have written down all of your accolades for us… Or I might just say you were smart and beautiful! LOL Amy, I love your comment 🙂
November 15, 2017 @ 5:29 pm
What a wonderful, accomplished lady! Barbara had such a kind spirit and lovely demeanor. I was blessed to have known her. She made the world a better place.
November 16, 2017 @ 2:23 am
Beautiful tribute, Linda. Barbara was the most humble, unassuming, kind, thoughful, and passionate person I know. She was a Kindred Spirit …
Kindred Spirits
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our heart, and we are never, ever the same.
We cherish the Kindred Spirits who have touched our lives, and hold close the relationships we have nurtured.
Just the knowledge of their existence brings us a kind of warmth and beauty.
When we pause to reflect upon those who matter most, let us always remember that being close has nothing to do with time or distance, it has everything to do with the heart.”
Barbara: Thank you for coming into my life, leaving a footprint on my heart, and changing my world forever.
November 16, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
Thank you for sharing!
November 16, 2017 @ 4:06 pm
Thank you for sharing. Beautiful beyond words.
🙏
November 18, 2017 @ 3:49 am
Thank you Linda for honoring Barbara in such a lovely way. She was such an amazing & special person and I am very happy that her story has been shared in a public manner. Grateful she is at peace now. Bless you for being such a wonderful friend.
November 21, 2017 @ 12:36 am
Beautiful lady, inside and out! She was an example to many. Thank you Linda for writing this.