Iona Lee Anderson, 80, passed away Oct. 6, 2023, in Missoula, Mo. She was born Jan. 16, 1943, in Billings, Mo., to Betty and Robert Anderson. After graduating from Billings Senior High, she moved to the beautiful Oregon Coast where she met her first husband, Gary Graves, and had two daughters.
In 1976, Iona and her daughters moved to Missoula where she started working at the local 9-1-1 Emergency Call Center as a dispatcher. She became the 9-1-1 supervisor and worked closely with the Montana legislature to pass a bill ensuring everyone had access to a free 9-1-1 service, which eventually became a nation-wide standard.
In 1986 she moved to Morgantown with her husband, Neil Bucklew. There she worked closely with County Commissioners in creating the 9-1-1 center for the area. She chaired the committee that established the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown, and served on the Board of Directors of One Valley Bank.
Following her time in Morgantown, she made her way back to the Oregon Coast where she spent her golden years. Iona was an entrepreneur and enjoyed numerous adventures in her life. She was known to many for sporting red shoes, red hair and red lipstick and keeping her family and friends in her golden circle.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother, Guy Anderson. She is survived by her sister, Betty (Rainy) Anderson; her brothers, John, Roger, and Robbie Anderson; her daughters, Gayle Johnston and Cara Simpson; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, Oct. 28, in Missoula, Mo. Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.
Condolences:
www.gardencityfh.com
