Industry Icon and Longtime Buyer Margie Bucki Dies

Peoria, Ill.—Industry veteran Margie Miller Bucki, an icon who worked at Citizen Jewelers and Sterling Jewelers, died July 22 after a long battle with cancer.

She was 76 years old.

Born June 4, 1945, in Front Royal, Virginia, Bucki started her decades-long buying career at Citizen Jewelers in Atlanta before working as a senior buyer at retail chain Service Merchandise, then working as a director at Sterling Jewelers for 13 years, and finally moving to Zales in 2002 until she retired in 2007.

She was also one of the first women to serve as a director in the industry.

Bucki was known for being strong, firm but fair, a consummate professional, and a great teacher to her employees.

“Everything Margie was to her family as a mother, she was to all of us who worked with/for her. So many valuable lessons learned from her,” one previous coworker said on a Facebook post.

Bucki battled cancer in five different forms over 25 years, according to her daughter, Luci McKenzie Parmelee.

Her friends and family will remember her as someone who always shared her wisdom and funny stories, and who had a generous, kind spirit and warm smile for everyone.

“Her life was full of love, and if you were lucky to be part of her world you knew she loved you too,” her daughter wrote on a Facebook tribute. 

Bucki is survived by her daughter, son Jack McKenzie, and grandchildren Abby and Mac Parmelee.

For those who may want to make a donation in her name, the family suggested the following: Friendship House (contact Marcellus Sommerville at 309-989-7114); Build A Classroom, attn: Mrs. Danages’ class (contact Marcia Lough at 309-672-6525); Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation (contact Katie Parker Cox at 309-691-6906); or Best Buddies at Richwoods High School (contact Beth Funcannon at 309-693-4400).