Patricia A. Buchner

Patricia Ann Buchner, age 65, of Loudon, TN, passed away Thursday, 6 April 2023. She leaves behind her loving husband, Matthew, three children, Christopher Cory McKay (Angela), Skylar Jean Austin (Jared), and Cameron Lee Plunkett (Carson), and six grandchildren, Alexander Ian McKay, Aaron Everett McKay, Neve Francis Austin, Maia Danielle McKay, Piper Lee Austin, and Callan Samuel McKay.

Patricia was born 27 January 1958 in El Paso, TX to John Edward Bertka and Martha Francis Akers, who preceded her in death, but were always in her thoughts. She has an older brother Jon Michael Bertka (Clarissa) in El Paso, TX, a younger sister Kelly Sue Rushing in Dallas, TX, and a family full of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She graduated from Eastwood High School before working at Surety Savings Bank in El Paso, TX. There she met her best friend’s brother Matt, who became the love of her life over 39 years ago. She ultimately gave up her career in banking to raise a family as the wife of an Army Green Beret that took her across the country growing a family in Texas, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Florida.

Her love of animals was widely known.  God gave us dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:26-28) and she considered it a sacred trust.  She found others that shared her calling to help animals in need thru organizations such as Decker McKee Doberman Rescue Assistance (DMDRA). That love was obvious to the many animals she rescued, fostered, and shared her life with, to include her dogs, Shadow, Finnegan, Sheamus and Bonny, her horses, Fiona and Charlie, and even her chickens. 

Her wishes were to forego a service and have her remains cremated.  Anyone wishing to contribute to her memory should consider a donation to humane animal shelters or rescues.