Shirley Buck

Shirley Faye (Smeath) Buck passed away August 5, 2026, in South Jordan, Utah, at the age of 91. Shirley was born July 12, 1935, in Caliente, Nevada, to Ralph Leslie Smeath and Emma Faye (McGhie) Smeath. She married David Arnold Buck on May 20, 1958, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and they were married until Dave passed away in February 2023.

Shirley grew up in Caliente, Nevada, except for a year when her father was transferred to Los Angeles for work during World War II. While in high school Shirley played bass in the band and orchestra and participated in softball and basketball. After high school she graduated from beauty school and then attended nursing school for a year and a half. She also participated on a competitive softball team.

After their marriage, Shirley and Dave lived in Blue Diamond, Nevada, for a few months before moving to Reno for Dave to finish college. Shirley worked while Dave went to school, and soon after Dave graduated, their daughter Leslie was born and Shirley became a stay at home mom. The family lived at Washoe Ponds Rearing Station for several months and then moved to the fish hatchery in Verdi, Nevada. In December 1963, the family moved to Ruby Valley, Nevada, where Shirley was active in the community, including serving a term as president of the Women’s Club.

In February 1973, the family moved to the Lake Mead Fish Hatchery near Boulder City, Nevada. In 1979, Dave and Shirley moved into town, where Shirley lived until July 2025 when she moved to South Jordan, Utah to live near family.

Shirley was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving among other positions as Young Women’s president, stake sports director, Cub Scout leader, Primary teacher, and Relief Society counselor. She learned to play the organ as an adult and played in Sacrament Meeting in addition to playing piano in various auxiliaries.

Shirley was active in her community. She worked with Special Olympics and Lend a Hand, where she served as President for four years. She was a member of the Boulder City Community Chorus. When she moved to South Jordan, she was a member of the Sagewood Singers.

Shirley worked briefly for the US Bureau of Mines and then for several years for the National Park Service, retiring in 1990.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Leslie McMullin (Ed); her grandchildren Bradley McMullin (Alexis), Caitlin McMullin (Erik Jacobson), and Taylor McMullin (Josh Rose); her great grandchildren Penny McMullin, August McMullin, and Axel Jacobson; and her sister Diane Kelley (Pat). She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Buck; her parents Ralph and Faye Smeath; and her brother Bob Smeath.

Shirley’s memorial service will be held in Boulder City on September 26, 2026, at 10:00 am at the LDS Church at 916 5th Street. She will be interred at the Conaway Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caliente, Nevada. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.

The family gives special thanks to Shirley’s friends and the staff at Sagewood at Daybreak in South Jordan. We are also very grateful to Canyon Hospice for helping make her last months as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to Special Olympics at support.specialolympics.org or to Lend A Hand of Boulder City using this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5PWPCSPZ57FQJ