Obituary of Maisha Lee VanBuren

Maisha VanBuren May 18, 1944 – March 28, 2021 AFTON—Maisha L. VanBuren, 76, of Afton, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at her home in Afton. She was born in Ogdensburg, NY on May 18, 1944. She grew up in Wanakena, NY with her parents Aile and Orrin Latham, her sister Patricia, and her brother Mark. She graduated from Clifton-Fine High School in 1962, married Martin VanBuren in 1963, and through the years, became the mother of four children: Rick, Lisa, Matthew and Cully. Maisha grew up in the Adirondacks, and so lived a lifelong love affair with everything Adirondack! (Pine trees, campfires, black bears, canoes, and mountain lakes!) She was in her element setting up the little pop-up camper in the great outdoors! She was an avid reader and would wile away many hours totally engrossed in a good book. She was a passionate writer. Forgoing writing as a career to be a stay home mother of four, she wrote many, many stories, poems, and journals just for her own entertainment. She was also a passionate singer. She loved to belt out a tune, from harmonizing "bawdy" songs early in the morning with Martin, to harmonizing popular radio tunes with Matthew and Cully in the station wagon, any time they found themselves in transit. Maisha adored Hershey Bars, black coffee, smoking cigarettes, and her grandchildren. She lovingly referred to them as "brats" and taught them all how to "smoke" candy cigarettes. She also loved yard sales, Sandi Patti, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is survived by three children: Martin (Rick) VanBuren, Jr., Lisa (VanBuren) and Ralph Shearer, Cully VanBuren and Jody Oaks Doan; nine grandchildren: Aaron McWilliams, Amy and Matthew VanBuren, Amanda (VanBuren) Bunzey, Joseph and Ben Shearer, Dillon, Alexis and Parker VanBuren; two great-grandchildren: Maralynn VanBuren and Weston Bunzey, and seven step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Aile and Orrin Latham, her brother, J. Mark Latham, her husband, Martin VanBuren and her son, Matthew VanBuren. Flowers may be sent to the First Baptist Church in Afton. Services will be held April 10th with calling hours from 10:00-11:00am, service from 11:00-12:00, and burial immediately following. Luncheon will be served following all services at the Afton Baptist Church. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.