Barbara Wellings Soame Buescher of Coupeville passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2011, at the age of 85 surrounded by those she loved. She was born March 16, 1926 in Oxford, England, the only child of Esther and Reginald Soame. She settled in the United States in 1938, after traveling between England and the U.S.A. on many trans-Atlantic voyages on the Queen Mary accompanied by her nanny and her beloved Teddy Bear “Teddy Snowflake.”

She moved to San Francisco during World War II and in 1946 met and married the love of her life, her husband, Lt. Colonel Edward White Buescher, who predeceased her in death in 1982.

Barbara had lived in Coupeville since 2000 when she bought the Historic “Griffith House.” Prior to 2000 she traveled extensively all around the world, including solo trips on the Siberian Express through Russia and China, travels through Eastern Africa and many travels to Europe to her beloved England. During these years Barbara split her time between homes, living half the year in England or Italy.

Barbara is survived by her four children, daughter Cynthia B. Merrill and her husband, William B. Merrill of Newport, R.I., daughter Mimi S. Buescher and her husband Craig A. Platt of Coupeville, son Henry S. Buescher of Wellington, N.Z., and son, Colonel Christopher R. Buescher, USMC (Ret.) and his wife, Tracey L. Buescher, of Pleasanton, Calif.; her six grandchildren, Jessie M. Merrill, William B. Merrill, III, Alexandra E. Platt, Tobe E. Platt, Olivia C. Buescher and Krista N. Buescher; and her two devoted felines, Susie and Jake.

As she wished, a celebration of her life was held in her honor at her home and attended by her family and close friends. Barbara will be laid to rest with Military Honors next to her husband at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Family and friends may sign an online registry and leave notes at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.