Beth Buckingham

Beth Buckingham: A Life Well Lived

About to turn 61 last May 21 and on the verge of retiring, Beth Buckingham relished the idea of traveling more. Her love of the outdoors had drawn her to Colorado from her native Minnesota, after having graduated from St. James High School in 1975 and from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1979. Her subsequent adventures in Brazil, Argentina, Central America, Mexico, Vietnam and most of Europe were just the appetizer on what she imagined would be a full menu of international travel, during which she would immerse herself in dozens of new countries - their sights, sounds, cultures and tastes ... especially the tastes.

A wonderful cook in her own right, Beth had a knack for knowing where to find the "best (fill in the blank) dish" in any town she visited. Mexican food was her favorite, and trips to Santa Fe were frequent. Her love of excellent food was matched by her fondness for regularly sharing both good food and drink with friends, and she frequently served as both chef de cuisine and master mixologist. She sure could make a mean Manhattan!

Beth approached life the way she did a new culinary experience - with curiosity, daring and gusto. "I'm in!" was how she responded to nearly everything. She loved skiing, hiking, sailing, golf, reading and spending time with family and friends. And art. She filled her home with unique and lively pieces she had collected during her travels around the world and from local artists - often purchased as part of fundraisers for causes she cared deeply about.

Though small in stature, Beth lived life large. "Life Is Good" wasn't just a slogan on her T-shirts - it was her mantra. Even when she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma last April and upon entering hospice in December, Beth maintained she'd had a good life ... a life well lived. Maybe that outlook emanated from her Scandinavian stoicism. Perhaps it came from having survived breast cancer 20 years ago. Or maybe it was just her "Minnesota nice" demeanor. Those who knew her best would simply say, "That's just Beth."

Beth lost her battle with brain cancer on February 4, 2018, leaving behind her spouse, Pat Lippincott, of Denver; brother Drake Buckingham (Celia Alario) of Moab, UT; uncle Dick (Jane) Niemi of Minneapolis, MN; cousins Chuck Niemi and Ken Niemi of Denver; her friends and colleagues at Petroleum Place Energy Solutions, where she was highly regarded as an oil and gas software product manager; and too many close friends to count. Those loved by Beth will miss her deeply every day. Her parents, Lester Drake and Gloria Joyce (Niemi) Buckingham, preceded her in death.