Nancy L. Buckwalter, age 68, of Madison, died peacefully on Sunday, August 23, 2020, in the presence of her wife Sue Hughes and their daughter Kati Buckwalter-Hughes. Nancy lived her life to the fullest and will be remembered for her warm smile and her ever-present sense of humor. Nancy will be deeply missed by her wife Sue and their incredible daughter Kati. Nancy and Sue were life partners for over 39 years and legally married for more than six years. Sue liked to say it was one of the longest engagements on record. Nancy and Sue met in Hartford, CT in 1981 working on the Women’s Center newsletter. They fell in love from the very start, and friends in Hartford said they had the date that never ended. Kati is the dream that Nancy treasured above all else. As Kati would say, Nancy was the mom who “borned” her and Sue was the mom who “held” her in the delivery room in Hartford. After moving to Madison, Wisconsin, Nancy was later promoted to being the English and history mom while Sue was the math and science mom when Kati started school. Kati earned her undergraduate degree in social work from UW-Whitewater, put herself through her MSW program at UW-Milwaukee, and now works as a child and family therapist. To say that Nancy was proud of Kati would be a tremendous understatement.

While Nancy was proud of her career with the State of Wisconsin and of the many hours of volunteer time she devoted to various nonprofits, the essence of her life was with her family and that is how she chooses to be remembered.

Nancy is survived by her wife Sue Hughes, her daughter Kati Buckwalter-Hughes, Joe Hughes, Mary (Dan) Sullivan, Jim (Mary Sue) Hughes, CJ (Mary) Hughes, Barb Hughes, Bridget (Frank Manda) Hughes Manda, Todd (Mary) Buckwalter, Cliff (Nita) Buckwalter and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Nancy’s only regret would be that she did not live long enough to submit her Absentee Ballot. Please know that if you do not vote in the November election, she will find some way to haunt you from wherever she is now.