Elizabeth "Beth" (Stanley) Buckley

Elizabeth “Beth” (Stanley) Buckley of Leominster died peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Life Care Center of Leominster, surrounded by her loving family.

Beth was born on May 10, 1935, the youngest of nine children of George and Margaret Stanley of Fitchburg. She attended St. Bernard’s High School, where she met the love of her life, Connie Buckley, and graduated as a member of the Class of 1953. She went on to attend Anna Maria College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Music Education in 1957. Following graduation, she began her teaching career in Ashburnham, MA. She and Connie were married on October 10, 1959, and together they lovingly raised three children: Mary Beth, Patti, and Neil.

After spending several years at home with her children, Beth returned to teaching music in the Leominster Public Schools, working at Fallbrook, Pierce Street, and Johnny Appleseed Schools. Her love of music and faith led her to direct three choirs at St. Leo’s, where she also directed The Sound of Music and numerous other musical productions over the years. She later served for many years as choir director at St. Boniface Church in Lunenburg. In 1992, Beth retired from teaching and joined her husband in the family business, C. E. Buckley, Inc., where she managed the religious gifts store until her retirement in 2006.

Family was central to Beth’s life, and she took great pride in being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She treasured time spent at the family camp on Spec Pond in Lancaster, especially lively games of cribbage and Progressive Rummy, as well as the annual 4th of July boat parade. A talented baker, she especially enjoyed making cookies and pies with her granddaughters. She delighted in hosting family gatherings and holiday celebrations, always welcoming everyone into her home. She also loved attending her granddaughters’ field hockey games during their high school and college years, and one of her greatest joys was having her granddaughters and great-grandchildren gather around the piano to sing whenever they were all together.

Beth is survived by her daughter Patti Buckley Malcolmson and son-in-law Ralph, her son Neil Buckley and his wife Janet, and her son-in-law David Brow, all of Leominster; her seven granddaughters, Molli Dill (and husband Larry), Emily Malcolmson, Catherine Brow, Elizabeth Brow, Casey McDowell (and husband Justin), Hannah Cordio (and husband Nick), and Julia Malcolmson; and her four great-grandchildren, Caroline and Clare Dill, and Nathaniel and Jacob Perez. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, as well as many cherished friends from over the years.

Beth was predeceased by her husband, Connie Buckley, in 2002, and her eldest daughter, Mary Beth Brow, in 2019, as well as her eight siblings: George A. Stanley, Jr., Rita Silverstein, Mary Stanley, Margaret Pancare, J. Bernard Stanley, Helen McCarthy, Monica Vorse, and Roberta Thomas.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Manor on the Hill, where Beth lived for the past eight and a half years, and to the staff at Life Care Center of Leominster where she spent her final months.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 PM, and Monday, April 27, 2026, from 9:30–10:30 AM, at Curley-Marchand Funeral Home, 89 West Street, Leominster, Massachusetts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Leo’s Church, 128 Main Street, Leominster, on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM, followed by burial at St. Leo’s Cemetery, 360 Lancaster Street, Leominster.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Beth’s name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Leo’s Parish, or to the scholarship fund established in memory of her daughter, Mary Beth Brow, in care of David Brow, 32 Hale Street, Leominster, Massachusetts, 01453.

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