Margaret Therese (Sweeney) Buckley a 56 year resident of Needham died on Wednesday, July 30th at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham. She was 83 years old. Born in Brighton, she was the daughter of the late John and Alice (Bracelin) Sweeney. Margaret grew up in the Oak Square section of Brighton and attended Our Lady of the Presentation Grammar School. She was a member of the graduating Class of 1942 of Mt. Saint Joseph Academy and was also a graduate of Framingham State Teachers College. She taught at the Robert Gould Shaw Middle School in West Roxbury. In 1951 Margaret married Leo J. Buckley Jr. and they settled in Needham in 1952. Mrs. Buckley was the founder and director of the Needham Playschool for 46 years from 1961 to 2007. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley were founding members of the Needham Pool and Racquet Club. A former chairman of the Needham Democratic Town Committee, Mrs. Buckley was also a former Town Meeting Member. Margaret was a member of St. Bartholomew Parish. She was the beloved wife of Leo J. Buckley Jr. and the dear mother of Leo and Doreen Buckley of Franklin, Chris and Lynne Buckley of San Diego CA, Paul Buckley of Weymouth, Terry Buckley of Needham and Joan and Rob Abramson of Norfolk. She was the loving Nana of her 9 grandchildren; SFC Leo J. Buckley US Army currently serving in Iraq and his wife Geneva of Buckley of Fort Meade, MD, Brian Buckley of Marlboro, Sean and Nicholas Buckley of Franklin, Erin and Ryan Buckley of San Diego CA, Michael Kiser, Nicole and Derick Abramson all of Norfolk. She is also survived by her 4 great grandchildren Tyler and Owen Buckley of Fort Meade, MD and Brian and Caleb Buckley of Marlboro. Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Saturday August 2 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bartholomew Church at 10AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Friday from 4-8 PM. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery in Needham. In lieu of flowers donations in Margaret’s name may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box 945, Boston MA 02284-5945