Some march to the beat of a different drummer, free spirits who don’t stay in one place for too long. Others remain committed to the Region, especially one Catholic school booster whose husband is a drummer.
For one Bishop Noll Institute alumna, the Warriors are family, literally. Class of 1972 member Denyse “Dee Dee” Buck, who married her classmate George Buck shortly after graduation, recently completed a flurry of volunteer work for her alma mater and reflected on her ongoing relationship with BNI that keeps them tied to the Region.
In December, Buck coordinated a princess brunch at Noll that attracted 95 young princesses and as many adults who accompanied them. She said 100%t of the funds collected were earmarked for Noll’s benefit.
The successful fundraiser is one in a series of events that the Bucks have worked on, reaching back to the years after their graduation, when they hosted charitable gatherings as one of the only married couples taking classes at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting.
“I feel lovely about this,” said Dee Dee, a Highland resident. “It’s certainly not me; it’s all the volunteers that so graciously give of their time, too.”
Though they have been known as a sort of Catholic dynamic duo – both teaching in the Region and, in George’s case, handling percussion duties for church musical groups – most have not heard of the origins of the teenage sweethearts’ bond until now.
In 1973, George wanted to propose to Dee Dee in the classroom where they originally met. During homecoming festivities, he insisted that they check out something in the closed building (to which he had gained permission to enter).
Towing a curious Dee Dee along to A102, Buck fell to his knee with a surprising proposal that included a ring.
“All of a sudden I (realized) what was going on,” Dee Dee recalled. “It could absolutely not have been a better memory.”
Dee Dee and George, are both products of Catholic elementary schools, the former St. Mary and Immaculate Conception of East Chicago, respectively. Dee Dee taught at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Whiting and George instructed math, science, and a side of percussion at St. John the Baptist in Whiting for 28 years.
Each retired during the pandemic year of 2020.
The Bucks plan to stay involved with Catholic culture in Northwest Indiana. George performs using his signature tasteful touch on drums and Dee Dee is a prayer warrior and secretary with the SJB’s Altar and Rosary Society.
“First of all, our Catholic faith is so important. It was ingrained in us at school in a positive way,” Dee Dee said. “Of course, meeting the love of my life there is another important thing … our BNI experience is so unique; it’s a thread that runs through the school family like a filament.”
Bishop Noll president Paul Mullaney said there is something exceptional about the Bucks’ commitment to their alma mater.
“We are blessed at Bishop Noll to have alumni like the Bucks, who continue to share in our mission by giving of their time, talent and treasure to make sure BNI continues to thrive into our second century,” Mullaney said.
Caption: At Bishop Noll Institute, school friends and family gather for a princess brunch coordinated by alumni Dee Dee Buck (seated, left of Santa) and her husband, George Buck (left) in December. During the event to benefit BNI, more than 90 princesses and those they accompanied were part of the storybook meal, an example of recent efforts by BNI graduates to support their alma mater. (provided photo)