Her daughter Samantha Mansfield mentioned: “She was magic. She was my greatest good friend. And I’ll miss her each day.
“I was lucky I had such a lighting rod of a mother and now I have her as an angel.”
Born in Seattle, Buckner made her identify on the pageant circuit, being topped Miss Washington in 1971 earlier than representing the state on the Miss America competitors the next yr.
She channelled her expertise into the entertainment business, changing into a member of the singing and dancing group The Golddiggers, which featured on The Dean Martin Show.
She additionally made appearances on The Mac (*72*) Show, Sonny And Cher, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
Buckner was greatest recognized for touchdown the position of effervescent cheerleader Patty Simcox, reverse the late Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the hit 1978 musical.
A memorable scene got here throughout a rallying cry for fictional Rydell High School which embodied the pep and college spirit of her character.
“Do the splits, give a yell, show a little spirit for Old Rydell! Way to go, red and white, go Rydell, fight, fight, fight,” Buckner mentioned on display.
After her efficiency, Buckner starred in TV exhibits together with The Love Boat, BJ And The Bear, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, and When The Whistle Blows.
She additionally starred in the 1981 Wes Craven horror film Deadly Blessing alongside Sharon Stone, as nicely as in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege in 1989.
Buckner later took a step again from Hollywood to turn out to be a mom to her two youngsters, Adam Josephs and Samantha Mansfield.
She can also be survived by her grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail and Ruby as nicely as her sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield and longtime accomplice Al.