Obituary: Mary Agnes Buckley, 58, of Watertown

Obituary courtesy of Hickcox Funeral Home

WATERTOWN - Mary Agnes Buckley, 58, our angel from God, returned to her heavenly Father on March 19th to be reunited with her devoted and loving parents, Hylda (Ryan) Buckley and Dr. Michael B. Buckley.
Mary was born the youngest of five on February 4, 1965 in St Mary’s Hospital, where her father was a practicing physician. Mary was born with Down syndrome at a time when little was known about its viability or Mary’s prognosis, yet Hylda and Michael were unwavering in their decision to raise her in a happy home as “one of the gang”. Mary’s family received more love and pure joy from her than they were ever able to return.
Mary was a blessing to everyone who met her. Sweet, gentle, kind, intuitive, generous, hard-working, vibrant, and beautiful; Mary even had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to make people laugh and she loved music. Mary could rival Michael Jackson and John Travolta on any dance floor. A simple math equation might not have been Mary’s strongest suit, but if a perfect hug was needed or if sound, common sense advice on an important life decision was needed, Mary was your person.
Mary attended public schools in Watertown and Newtown, and it was in first grade at Black Rock School that Mr. Rocco Calabrese, her teacher, entered her life as a lifelong friend and mentor. In 1973, with the support of Hylda and other devoted parents in the community, Mr. Calabrese founded the Watertown Area Association of Special Citizens. Mary was an active member of this extraordinary community for 50 years. It was also in 1st grade that Mary began lifelong friendships with Heidi Kuegler and Steven Gambone. Mary enjoyed countless special, lifelong friends.
Mary was a Special Olympic athlete, most notably in swimming, track and bowling, winning many gold, silver and bronze trophies and medals, all proudly displayed in her treasured bedroom. In 2009 and 2018 Mary received the Waterbury Sportsmen’s Club award for Outstanding Achievements in Special Olympics.
Mary was employed by Easter Seals of Waterbury for 36 years and loved every day spent with her job crew. She rarely missed a day of work and especially looked forward to every other Friday, better known as “payday.” IOU loans granted to family members (mostly her father) were always collected within 3 days! In 2013, Mary was awarded Worker of the Year by Easter Seals.
Mary was a constant companion to her parents, included in every aspect of their busy lives. She was a well-seasoned traveler and especially enjoyed vacations in Ireland and Siesta Key, FL
Mary is survived by her sister, Maureen Buckley, of Newport RI; her brothers, Dennis (Noreen) Buckley and Michael Buckley, of Watertown; and eight nieces and nephews, Will and Ryan Hurd, and Sean, Dennis, Claire, Michael, Erin and Nora Buckley. Mary is also survived by her brother-in-law, Deedle Kiley.
Mary was predeceased by her parents and her cherished sister, Jane Kiley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 1, 2023, 8:30 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main Street, Watertown. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. The Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St., Watertown, has been entusted with the arrangements.
Donations may be made in Mary’s name to the Watertown Area Association of Special Citizen’s, c/o Joe McGrail, 87 Pleasant View Street, Oakville, CT 06779, Easter Seals of Waterbury, CT., 22 Tompkins Street, Waterbury, CT 06708 or HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 N Main St. Providence, RI 02904, who provided extraordinary, loving, daily care to Mary for five months.