MARY LUCINDA "CINDY" BUCHANAN

Sadly, after a zestful life attending more than 100 concerts, rescuing over 20 abandoned cats and dogs and successfully operating The Tanning Edge tanning salon in Springfield for 13 years, Mary Lucinda Buchanan has passed away.

Known as "Cindy" by her family, she enriched all our lives and will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Betty Baker, who will be surprised but also excited to see her in Heaven.

Mary graduated from Springfield Central High School in 1976, where she was a member of the Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps. and worked at the Fox Theater downtown. She spent 10 years working at Litton Industries making circuit boards for NASA and Atari and also worked at McBee Binders.

While working at Litton in 1993, she met Micky Buchanan. Together, they opened The Tanning Edge the same year and proceeded to get married in the salon in 1994.

Opening the salon was a natural progression for her. She loved the water and the sun. She began swimming at a very early age in the family pool – a round 800-gallon galvanized steel stock tank – and then found her way to the many rivers and lakes in southwest Missouri. She never tired of the sun and always had a pool at her home, even catching some rays up until a few weeks before passing.

She enjoyed traveling frequently with Micky in their RV and watching him race motorcycles. She loved music and was anointed by her niece Amber as the "cool aunt" who introduced her to some of her favorite music. Her other niece, Kara, remembers Cindy as a "lover of animals and all things vintage."

In addition to Micky, she is survived by sister, Karen Remington (husband Lee, recently deceased); brother, Jim Baker and partner Melia Balden; aunt, Eleanor Wilson; niece, Kara Remington (husband Rob Powers and sons Elliot, Rylan and Max); niece, Amber Remington (sons Matthew, Rowan and Efton); nephew, Ethan Remington; as well as several other cousins and their families.

And let's not forget the 4-legged beloved members of the family. First the friendly felines – Maggie, Butters, June Bug and Lyle. And, last but not least, the large floppy-eared blue Doberman named Zoey.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Integrity Home Care & Hospice in Springfield for providing care and support to Cindy in her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local animal shelter.

Announcements regarding a Celebration of Life for family and friends will be forthcoming.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.