Barbara E. Buckley

Barbara E. (Oertel) Buckley, died Nov. 23, 2010, at the age of 94. She was the wife of the late Robert P. Buckley, who died in 1990. They were married for 49 years. Born in Hanson, March 19, 1916, she attended Whitman High School graduating in 1932. After a year at Massachusetts State College, she studied at Wilfred Beauty Academy in Boston and graduated in 1935. She opened her first shop at Hanover Four Corners, which she operated for many years. After which, she established the Ball of Yarn Shop on South Ave. in Whitman. She taught knitting and crocheting at the Adult Education program at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School for over 30 years. She also ran, along with her late husband, a taxi service in Whitman for many years. In her mid 50s, Barbara went back to school taking library science at Bridgewater State College following which she enjoyed 15 years working at the Rockland Public Library. After retiring, she kept up her busy life. She continued to teach, she became involved with the Whitman Council on Aging, Altrusa, the knitting guild, and many other civic organizations including working at the Whitman polls. Over the years, she created hundreds of afghans, baby sets, mittens, scarves, dolls, and quilts, which she donated to hospitals, nursing homes, charitable groups, and individuals in need. She will be remembered for her generosity both to her community and to her friends and family, her sense of humor, and her love of life. She is survived by her nieces, Charlene Oertel Lehto of Virginia and Joyce Kenny of Florida; her nephews, Russell Dean of Hanson, David Dean of Bridgewater, Bradford Oertel of Florida, Charles Oertel of Rhode Island and Richard Roulis of Whitman. Also, she will also be greatly missed by the people who were a very special gift in her life, the families of Michael Foley, Eileen McCormick, Peggy Pelletier, Patti Brown and Kathy Knighton. Her funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m. in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary), Whitman. Burial will follow in the St. James Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Dec. 2, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Whitman Council on Aging, P.O. Box 426, Whitman, MA 02382. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.blanchardfc.com.