Madeline Elizabeth Buckley

Madeline “Madge” was born in Manhattan on September 13, 1923. A 1941 graduate of Julia Richman High School, Madge was raised in the Germantown neighborhood of Manhattan on 84th Street between York and East End Avenues. She married Walter Buckley on July 29th, 1945, when he returned from service in World War Two, at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on 87th Street between York and First Avenues. Madge and Walter had grown up on the same street and had been lifelong friends.

Madge and Walter settled in Syosset in 1961 and were raising their four children there when tragically at the age of 43, in 1964, Walter suffered a fatal heart attack. Madge was just 41, she never remarried but dedicated herself to raising and providing for her four children, Lynne, Jay, Paul and Pam.

Her children say she did not allow Walter’s sudden death to define her life. They say she prided herself on being a strong independent woman, who faced the challenges that life threw her way and overcame adversity to raise them as strong individuals at a time when single parent households were not the norm in suburban communities. They describe Madge as strong, resilient, and very loving.

Madge has lived at The Bristal at Jericho since March of 2019. She is a mahjong, canasta, bridge, and bingo aficionado. She drove her car and was an avid golfer until she was 95 and was in a bowling league well into her eighties.

Madge was a longtime assistant to the Superintendent of Nassau BOCES from 1968 until retiring in at 73 in 1996.

Madeline is predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her children Lynne Dowling, Walter Buckley, Paul Buckley and Pamela Roeske; grandchildren Sean Dowling, Kerrie Stubbs, Brandon Buckley, Lauren Leo, Jennifer Cestaro, Julia Buckley, Brett Roeske, Sarah Buckley and Alyssa Feola; great-grandchildren Caitlin Stubbs, Colin Dowling, Connor Stubbs, Brady Dowling, Madeline Cestaro, Edie Leo, Ava Cestaro, Bridget Buckley, George Leo and Beth Buckley.

Services will be posted once finalized.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association at www.donorservices.alz.org