Maria Buck

Elsinore, Utah - Maria Annavon Buck, age 36, our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away unexpectedly, shortly before midnight on Friday, October 6, 2017 in Salt lake City. Although she was ill, we thought we would have a few more years to say goodbye. Maria was born to Kenneth Max and Juliesue Collins Westwood in Sacramento, California on January 19, 1981. She moved to Utah with her family when she was 3 years old. She was a charming and had a unique personality from the day she was born. She had a smile that was half sad on one side in case she needed to cry in the next minute or so. Ordinarily, that would look odd, but on Maria, it was charming. In her relatively short life, she influenced many people and some of her actions will continue to be influential. She never gave herself much credit, but not many people knew all she did because she didn't talk about herself. AT 13, and again at 15, she wrote letters to a Utah newspaper (published under her first name only) regarding homelessness and poverty and how it affected children. She also testified at a committee meeting at the Utah State Legislature and helped keep a bill that would have hurt children from being passed. Her letters are used as part of a university course to aid students in understanding children and current issues. She loved to sing and dance and performed often throughout the Salt Lake City area, with groups. Maria cared deeply for her friends and was a nurturer. She always had time for anyone with a problem and a need to talk to someone. But her main passion, always, was to get married and be a mom. She had a crush on her friends' brother, the boy next door. He came back into her life after she had moved several times, and she married the man of her childhood dreams, Damein Lane Buck, March 1, 2003 in Orem. Although her life was short, she accomplished her dearest dreams. She is survived by her dear husband, Damein; her four much loved daughters: Rylynn,17; Kenzee, 13; Destinee, 6; and Kiara, 3; her mother, Juliesue Westwood; her sister, Tana Westwood; and her three brothers: Adam, Max and Neal Westwood. Although all our hearts ache with the loss, I am sure she was welcomed into Heaven by her Dad, who was joyfully waiting for her with open arms. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 13, 2017 at 12 Noon in the Springer Turner Funeral Home Chapel in Richfield, where friends may call for viewing Thursday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Elsinore Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. In lieu of flowers, donations to help with expenses would be appreciated. Please go to: www.gofundme/Maria BuckFinalExpenses.