Laura Marie Bucknell

Laura Marie Bucknell, age 65, of Portales NM was born April 8, 1960 in Ann Arbor, MI to June Rose (Boyke) and John Austin Bucknell. She passed from this life on Saturday evening, Feb. 21, 2026 in Portales, NM after a brief illness.  Laura was a 1978 graduate of Southfield High School in Southfield, MI.  She went on to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI.

Music and art played an important part of her life. She played various musical instruments and expressed her art in many mediums.  While in college she began working in the music industry, leading to stage managing and producing.  One of her passions was the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival which she returned to for several years after moving abroad.  Traveling extensively and being struck by the beauty of nature, she enjoyed hiking and the great outdoors. Summer vacations were frequently spent at the family cottage at Lake of Bays in Muskoka Ontario.  Laura also enjoyed a competitive game of pool, a trait inherited from her father Jack. 

Laura practiced as a traveling SLP in several locations during her career with an extended stay in Saipan. In 2012, she accepted the position of Clinical Director of Speech Therapy and Communications Disorders at Eastern New Mexico University.  During her tenure at the university, she established a literacy program.  Laura was passionate about everything she became involved in, and especially in helping her students to achieve their goals.

Survivors include her brother Tom Bucknell and his wife Sue of White Lake, MI; sister Terry and brother in-law Dale Norman of Oxford, MI; sister in-law Lori Bucknell of Brighton, MI; beloved nieces and nephews, Ian Norman, Amy and Joe Preston, Eric and Jayde Norman, John and Liza Bucknell, Joseph Bucknell, Austin Bucknell, Matthew Bucknell; great nieces Piper and Peyton Norman and Bryn Bucknell. 

Laura is also survived by dear friends Roxanne Short of Ypsilanti, MI, Kim and Mike Gingo of Ann Arbor, MI their children, Kendra Gingo and Will Gingo (her honorary niece and nephew), Sierra Duran of Portales NM; and her constant companion, her dog June.  

Laura was preceded in death by both of her parents and dear brother, John Bucknell husband to Lori.

A Rosary for Laura Bucknell, will be recited at 10:00 AM, Feb 27, 2036 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel.  In addition, a reception in her honor will be held in the Zia Room of the Campus Union Building on Fri. afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.  Please come and share your memories with her family and friends.  A formal service will be held at a later date in Michigan.

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