Gulielma "Guli" Buckley Hendrickson, 89, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a courageous battle with dementia. Guli was born on March 10, 1935, in Cambridge, NY to Theodore T. Buckley and Florence (Towner) Buckley. Guli spent her childhood on the family’s 80-acre farm, where the rolling hills, meadows, and a babbling brook provided a peaceful and enchanting setting. She often spoke fondly of toboggan rides on the farm’s slopes and the stunning views of Mt Equinox across the Vermont state line—memories she cherished throughout her life.

She is survived by her three children: Bill (McCall, ID), Debbie Sexton (Park City, UT), and Kevin (Steamboat Springs, CO); her sister, Martha (Amsterdam, NY); four grandchildren, Alex and Katherine Sexton, and Nick and Sarah Hendrickson; and five adoring nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, William and Towner, and her parents.

Guli was named after her grandmother, Gulielma (Tillotson) Towner. She took immense pride in her name and often shared that Shakespeare’s registry in the Holy Trinity Church reads, Gulielmus (Latin for “William”). Her love of words, language, and literature shaped her life, as did the simple, enduring values she cherished—quiet moments, strong family ties, and faith.

An outstanding student, Guli graduated as valedictorian of her class at Cambridge High School in 1953. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Lawrence University and later completed a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College in Boston. Although she began her career as a teacher, Guli quickly found her true calling as a librarian, culminating in her role as Head Librarian at the John G. McCullough Free Library in N. Bennington, Vermont. Guli’s passion for books was contagious. She was always eager to recommend a new novel or guide a reader on their next literary journey. Her personal library was as varied as her interests, and she took pride in having read the Bible cover to cover three times.

Guli’s life was defined by her faith, generosity, and deep connection to her community. She was a devoted member of the Federated Church of East Arlington VT. She found great joy in singing in the church choir and the Bennington hospice choral. Her voice brought comfort to many, and her kindness was felt throughout her Shaftsbury neighborhood, where she often baked for neighbors and visited elderly friends. Guli’s Victorian sensibilities and spiritual nature made her a nurturing presence, always knitting by the fire, working on a puzzle, or playing solitaire. Though she preferred the quiet warmth of these simple tasks, she had a unique ability to help others shine, often staying content in the shadows while fostering the talents and dreams of those around her.

In 2018, Guli moved from Shaftsbury, VT, to Park City, UT, to be closer to her family as her health began to decline. Despite her illness, her unwavering spirit and strong will remained intact. Guli was known for her fierce sense of independence, and even as her dementia progressed, she maintained her deep connection to faith, family, and literature.

Those who knew Guli will remember her as a thoughtful, kind and spirited person with a quick laugh and a great sense of humor. Her family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Escalante at Coventry in Salt Lake City, where Guli spent her final years surrounded by love and care.

A family celebration of life will be held in Spring 2025 in Cambridge, NY.