Claire Marie Buckley

Mrs. Claire M. Buckley passed away on July 17, 2017 at the age of 94. A longtime resident of Fullerton, Claire (nee English) was born to Michael J. English and Mary Ellen Duggan English on Nov. 3, 1922 in Quincy Massachusetts. Siblings were older brother Robert; younger brother William; and younger sister Marie.  Educated in Quincy she was graduated from Quincy High School and Burdette Secretarial School in Boston, MA. June 18, 1949, she became the bride of Joseph M Buckley, also of Quincy MA at a nuptial Mass at St Ann’s Church in Wollaston Ma. The young couple moved to Weymouth, Ma and raised three daughters, Maureen, Ellen and Lisa. In the early 60’s the family moved to Southern California to take advantage of a job transfer and subsequently settled in Fullerton in 1972. After raising her children for many years, she was employed by Kaiser Permanente as a medical transcription secretary and retired after 15 years of service. As parishioners at St Juliana’s Church both Claire and Joe became very active in parish life. She was involved in numerous ministries (what wasn’t she involved with)!  She worked for numerous years with the Bereavement Committee, RCIA, St. Vincent de Paul Christmas gift drive, and had what was termed the ‘parking lot ministry’ as she drew people in with her outgoing, charismatic personality. She loved her small Christian community which met for many years on Tuesday mornings which she aptly dubbed ‘The God Squad’.  She loved music, singing, wordsmithing, language, was known for her stellar vocabulary and especially loved her family and church.  Claire is survived by her children Maureen (Bill) Kelley, Ellen (Randy) McFarland, and Lisa (Greg) Fritz; two grandchildren (Brian and Shauna) and three great grandchildren (Mikayla, Wyatt and Blake) along with many loving relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Joseph Buckley. Viewing will be held at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary 902 N. Harbor Blvd, Fullerton CA on Monday, July 31, 2017 from 5:30 -6:30 pm, to be followed by Rosary from 6:30-7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 10:00 am, St. Juliana Falconieri Church 1316 N. Acacia Ave, Fullerton Ca 92831 with reception immediately following and graveside service at 2:00 pm.