"As a friend of her good daughter I was privileged to meet Mrs. Buchignani twice in her Memphis home in the 1960s, and I remain lovingly impressed with her kindness, consideration, and sense of the goodness of life. My profound expressions of good will and sympathy go to Margaret Jr. and her family."
In loving memory of
Margaret L. Buchignani
October 23, 1911 - August 15, 2009
Margaret Weber Buchignani
Mother of Prominent Memphis Clergymen, had Zest for Life
Two of her five children went on to hold prominent leadership positions in the Catholic Archdiocese of Memphis while another became the first woman to serve as head tennis instructor for the United Nations, but Margaret Weber Buchignani will be remembered for her spontaneity and zest for life, according to those closest to her.
Mrs. Buchignani died on August 15 in her Miami Shores, FL home with her daughter by her side. She was 97. Her death came on the birthday of her late husband, Richard Gustav, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage.
Her eldest son, the Rev. Richard Buchignani, holds a Canon law degree and recently retired as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Lawrenceburg, TN. Another son, Monsignor Peter Buchignani, studied at the Vatican’s North American College in Rome for four years and now serves as pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi parish in Cordova, TN. Her daughter, Margaret, competed on the Virginia Slims tennis tour and was inducted in the Barry University Hall of Fame before going on to become the head pro at the United Nations in New York City. She is now head tennis pro at the Surfside Tennis Center in Surfside, FL.
Born to Albert and Julia Weber on October 23, 1911 in Nashville, Mrs. Buchignani was a piano prodigy. By age 3, she was able to emulate complex piano medleys after hearing them played, a talent that would bring her and her family enjoyment for many years. “If I played a recording of Liberace playing and mother playing you would not be able to tell the difference,” says her daughter. “She could hear a song and copy it perfectly.”
Mrs. Buchignani collected dolls and enjoyed making evening gowns for herself and her daughter to wear at the opera. During a recent hospital stay in Miami, Mrs. Buchignani delighted nurses when she attempted to redesign her hospital gown.
“I went in and saw this gown kind of twisted and turned and both shoulders bare,” recalls her daughter with a smile. “Mother said, ‘I just decided to redesign it because it was not very flattering.’ She was just full of surprises.”
Mrs. Buchignani enjoyed working out at the gym well into her 80s and making new friends wherever her travels took her. This came easy to her with her warm smile and friendly Southern manner. When she liked someone she typically called them, “doll baby.”
Her daughter recalls being admonished a few years ago to stay out later after returning home from the tony Lincoln Road area of Miami Beach at the unrespectable hour of just 3 a.m. “She was so surprised. She looked up at me and said, ‘why are you back so early? The places down there aren’t closed yet.’ I said, ‘well the people I was with got tired. Not everybody is like you.’”
Though she never drank or smoked, Mrs. Buchignani’s zest for life always remained with her. She jumped at an opportunity to go to a George Michael concert at age 96.
“I said ‘mother I have these tickets’,” says her daughter. “She said, ‘let me think about it for two seconds.’ And then she said, ‘yes doll baby, let’s do it.’ We had an absolute ball. She was dancing at the concert. She stood up to keep clapping with the music. Two guys in back of us took her hands and danced around. We had the best time.”
Mrs. Buchignani is also survived by her son, Albert, a retired social worker, who lives in DeFuniak Springs, FL with his wife, Linda. Though both are retired, they still enjoy helping people in need. Mrs. Buchignani is also survived by a son, Paul and his wife, Mary Dinah of Memphis, TN. He is an architectural designer and both he and his wife have donated resources to designing various chapels and other buildings for good causes throughout the United States.
A visitation will be held at 5 p.m. on August 20 in Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimneyrock Boulevard, Cordova, TN. The funeral will be held in the same location on August 21 at 1 p.m. followed by burial on August 22 in Calvary Cemetery, Memphis.http://videos.lifetributes.com/84782
Tributes
"Margaret Sr. (Baby Doll) was an extradinary woman with many sparkling talents. My husband and I were blessed with being around she and her daughter, Margaret Jr. for over 20 years. Actually Margaret Jr. and I go back over 30 years with our tennis association/teaching, playing etc. and I often was able to see incredible Southern mannerisms that was influenced into Margaret Jr. by her mom, which always impressed me. My heart is broken in the loss of Baby Doll, but the strong memories will keep her alive in our hearts for a long time. The tribute video was outstanding showing how amazingly gorgeously put together woman she was. I will remember her throughtout all seasons, because she decorated the apartment she and Margaret Jr. lived in Miami Shores approiately to enhance the moods with abundance of color, her forest of divine plants on her patio, etc. Loved her adorable outfits she wore. She attracted people of all ages to us when we would go out. I practically remember us, Margaret Jr., she and I going on swings outside a restaurant in northern Florida on a fabulously clear night looking at the bright stars, relaxing and laughing a few years back. We always had great times together. I will miss the advice she gave me when I had a problem, the directions she gave us when we were driving, her upbeat positive personality, always looking for the good in people, and yes her spontaneity and zest for life will be missed. Our deepest condolences to Margaret Jr. her four brothers, and all family members. We are with you in spirit at this sad time but also join you with this incredible tribute to her life -- she leaves us with her beauty -- a vision of a huge enthusiastic smile in our hearts! Love, Brandi and Bard"
"It was an honor to meet and spend time with Mrs. Buchignani. She was an absolute delight on every occasion, with a warm and generous spirit. We will be thinking of her and her family during this time. She was truly a lovely person."
"With deep regret, I will miss the great send off planned in your honor but I will carry out your tradition and be sure to call those who attended to find out who all came and especially what they were wearing. Every time I pick up a pair of scissors to prune a flower or plant, I think of you and the story you told when you dropped your scissors from your sky rise balcony. Every time a hurricane heads your way, I think of the people who come up to move your plants from the balcony inside so they don't become torpedos in the wind. This one of many you bestowed the title "doll baby" will forever cherish your zest for life. You can fill the sky with how much you are loved by all the "doll babies" you have touched in your 97 years. I will cherish your memory always."
"She was unique! She became a new member of my family, funny, great spirit, wonderful person and amazing life's teacher! thanks Margaret for all the tips about family and marrige! we will miss you! Paola, Andrea, Mattia and Emma."