Agnes (Hay) Buckley of Salem, a former teacher, died at home Oct. 16, surrounded by her daughters and granddaughter. She was 80.
Born in Manhattan, N.Y. on Nov. 11, 1930, she was raised in the Jackson Heights section of Queens. Mrs. Buckley graduated from Holy Cross Academy in Manhattan. She then attended Fordham University in Manhattan, where she majored in English and hoped to pursue a career in journalism. While still in college, she worked at Conde Nast in New York City.
She married her husband, Earl, in 1953 and eventually settled in Scotch Plains, N.J., where they raised their three children. For many years, Mrs. Buckley taught in public schools, a job she treasured. She left the teaching field in 1971, however, to pursue a more lucrative career in real estate in order to put her children through college. Often working seven days a week, Mrs. Buckley was one of the first real estate agents in New Jersey to become a member of the Million Dollar Sales Club.
She and her family loved spending summer vacations on Long Beach Island, N.J., where she and her husband had a second home.
Mrs. Buckley and her husband retired in 1990 and moved to Centerville, Ma., where she was a member of the Newcomer's Club, the Dining In Group, the Round Robin Bridge Group and the Barnstable Newcomers' Investment Club. An accomplished gardener, she was a member of the Barnstable Garden Club. Mrs. Buckley also worked for many years as a volunteer for the Cape Cod Cancer Consignment Shop.
She and her husband eventually moved to Yarmouth Port, where they became active members of the Unitarian Church of Barnstable. She was a member of one of the church’s ministry groups.
Mrs. Buckley moved to assisted living facilities in Swampscott and Peabody after her husband passed away in the spring of 2010. A self-described socialist, she become something of a hero to the staff at an assisted living facility in Swampscott when she – very publicly -- chastised a fellow resident for treating workers disrespectfully.
She moved with her daughter, Lisa, to an apartment in Salem in November of 2010. A lifelong learner and avid reader, she talked about listening to audiotapes about Einstein right up until the days before her death.
She is survived by two daughters, Laura of West Nyack, N.Y., and Lisa of Salem; a daughter-in-law, Maria of Salem; two granddaughters, Meredith of Salem, and Gabrielle of West Nyack, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Earl, and a son, Michael.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to either: Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA, 01843, or the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, P.O. Box 285, Barnstable, MA, 02630. For guestbook please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com