Abington – Bette Ann (Paulding) Buckley, of Abington, died at her home on December 31, 2010 after a lengthy and courageous six year battle, fought with great dignity, against ovarian cancer.
Born in Rockland November 19, 1933 she was the wife of 55 years of John R. Buckley and the daughter of the late Clifford A. and Aurelie (Joubert) Paulding.
Bette was raised in Rockland and was a graduate of Rockland High School, Class of 1951. She graduated from the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and was a nurse at Brockton Hospital and a private duty nurse before becoming a school nurse.
Bette was a school nurse at Abington High School and the Junior High School for 31 years before retiring in 1997.
She was a former Trustee of the Abington Public Library and a devoted member of the Friends of the Library
Active in various community affairs Bette particularly enjoyed her role as a member of the Olde Towne Christmas House Tour Committee. In 1994 her home at 333 Colonel Hunt Drive was one of the homes on the tour. Earlier her home at 754 Plymouth Street was included on a tour for the benefit of St. Bridget’s Women’s Sodality.
As an avid amateur gardener her garden at 333 Colonel Hunt Drive was included in a summer garden tour for the benefit of the House Tour Committee.
Bette is survived by her husband John R. Buckley; her sons John R. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Paula F. of Brockton; her grandchildren Rose E., John R. III, and Elizabeth F. Buckley of Brockton; Thomas M. Buckley and his wife Susan L. of Abington; her grandchildren Elysia R. and Rachel H. Buckley of Swampscott and Meghan M. and Connor J. Buckley of Abington; her daughter Pamela A. Berry of Abington and her granddaughter Jessica A. Berry of Abington and South Boston and her son Michael P. Buckley and his wife Ann of Pembroke and her grandchildren Noel S. and Catherine A. Buckley of Pembroke.
She is also survived by her brothers Clifford Paulding and his wife Nancy of St. Augustine, FL and Robert Paulding and his wife Kathleen of Rockland, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bette was predeceased by her two sisters Joan M. Coulstring and Nancy J. Tucker both of Carver.
Her funeral service will be held Thursday January 6 at 9:30 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM in St. Bridget’s Church, Abington. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday January 5 from 3-8 PM. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Bette may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.