Cynthia Buckingham Obituary

Cynthia Deane Buckingham

1951-2025



Salt Lake City, UT-Inspiring wife, mother, and friend Cynthia Buckingham passed away peacefully at home on October 8, 2025, three days after celebrating her 74th birthday. After nine months of complex medical challenges, she spent her final days surrounded by family and dear friends, enveloped in love and remembrances that reflected the lasting impact of her life and work.



Born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Donald and Dorothy Buckingham, Cynthia was the eldest of four siblings, setting a lifelong example of civility, curiosity, and compassion for her brothers Randall, Douglas, and Timothy. She grew up in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, graduated from Osseo High School, and attended Macalester College on a National Merit Scholarship, majoring in English and French. The first week of college she met her husband-to-be Jim Bach and the two maintained a close friendship that later evolved into a lifelong partnership. They married in 1981.



Cynthia and Jim began their life together in St. Paul, where she worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and later for the Federation of State Humanities Councils-a role that introduced her to the national humanities network that became her life's work.



In 1982, Cynthia joined the Utah Endowment for the Humanities (now Utah Humanities) as Associate Director, later serving as Executive Director from 1997 until her retirement. Over her 35-year tenure, she transformed Utah Humanities into a cornerstone of the state's cultural life, promoting civic dialogue, community engagement, and cultural understanding. Under her leadership, the organization launched enduring programs such as the Utah Humanities Book Festival, the Clemente Course in the Humanities, and the state's participation in the Smithsonian's "Museum on Main Street."



A gifted collaborator and advocate, Cynthia strengthened partnerships across Utah's cultural and nonprofit sectors. She helped expand the Zoo, Arts and Parks tax, chaired the Utah Nonprofits Association, co-founded and led the Utah Cultural Alliance, and served on the Alliance for Unity. In 2016, she was named a Pillar of the Community by the Utah Cultural Alliance for her lasting contributions to the arts and humanities.



Cynthia's professional achievements were matched-if not surpassed-by the devotion, love, and wisdom she brought to her roles as a mother, wife, and friend. She managed the demands of a meaningful career with unwavering dedication to her family. She was a guiding light to her two daughters, modeling what it means to lead with strength and kindness, to show up fully at home and at work, and to live with integrity and purpose. Her love for her husband Jim was enduring and deeply rooted, built on shared values, friendship, and constant displays of love. Together they built a home filled with books, music, conversation, and laughter-a home that reflected the very humanities Cynthia spent her career uplifting.



She was a beloved sister, aunt, grandmother, mentor, and friend whose loyalty and warmth were felt by all who knew her. Her beauty-both inner and outer-shone brightly and will continue to inspire the many lives she touched.



Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents and brother Randall Buckingham. She is survived by her husband Jim Bach; daughters Alissa Ahearn (Jake) and Kristina Buckingham; brothers Douglas and Tim Buckingham; and three grandchildren.



In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Utah Humanities. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 16 at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City.