Sister Agnes Buckley
First woman and longest living heart transplant survivor
Sr. Agnes C. Buckley, Sisters of Providence, of Chelsea, died on September 23.
Born in Malden 80 years ago, Sister Agnes’ early years were spent in Chelsea where she attended St. Rose School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in February of 1956 and took her vows in 1958.
A graduate of St. Mary of the Woods College with a Bachelors Degree in Education, she continued her studies at Salem State. Her early years in teaching were spent in Maryland at Hallethorpe followed by six years at The Chevrus School in Malden. In the mid 1970’s, she returned home to Chelsea and began her assignment at St. Rose elementary school, teaching grades 1 through 8. In 2004, she finished her teaching career with the 5th grade class and as administrator of the St. Rose Alumni Association.
Sister continued to minister to St. Rose working in the office of St. Rose Rectory until the convent closed and moved to Revere. In 1989, over 28 years ago, Sister Agnes underwent a Heart Transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a first for it being the first woman to receive a heart transplant. To this day she in the longest living transplant survivor. In February of this year she celebrated 62 years to her calling.
She was the devoted daughter of the late James C. and Agnes G. (Enos) Buckley; beloved sister of James Buckley and his wife, Eleanor of Wilmington, Catherine Musicof and her husband, Sol of Stoneham and the late Paul Buckley and his surviving wife, Donna of Revere. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces and nephews as well as the Sisters of Providence family. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend her Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Friday, September 29 at 8 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 670 Washington Avenue, Revere at 9 o’clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home will be today, Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Services will conclude with interment in the Sisters’ of Providence grave site at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Sisters of Providence, St. Mary of the Woods, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, 47876.
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John Buzderewicz
Of Quincy, formerly of Chelsea
John W. Buzderewicz passed away on Friday, September 22 at the Boston Medical Center in Boston after a long ongoing illness. He was 69 years old.
The beloved husband of Marylou Kemp-Buzderewicz, he was born and raised in Chelsea, a son of the late Joseph S. Buzderewicz, Sr. and Dorothy (Seeley) Buzderewicz. He attended school in Chelsea, graduated from Chelsea High School, enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably during the Vietnam Era.
He was a resident of Chelsea for most of his life and resided in Quincy for the past 18 years. He worked for many years as a salesman for Eagle Electric Supply in Boston and later for Controller Services in Avon before retiring several years ago. He was a member of the PPC of Chelsea and the Chelsea Yacht Club where he was a past board director and past vice commodore. He was also a member of the American Legion Nickerson Post 382 in Squantum.
John was a devoted husband to Marylou and doting grandfather of five, he enjoyed boating and socializing with his dock buddies at his yacht club.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 11 years, Marylou Kemp-Buzderewicz; two cherished stepsons and their wives; Kenny Kemp and his wife, Christine of Billerica and Scott Kemp and his wife, Marina of Byron, MN. He was the adored grandfather “DzizDzia” and “Buzzy” to Jody, Jack and Kevin Kemp, Kealie and John Kemp; dear brother of Francis “Frannie” Buzderewicz and his wife, Pat of El Mirage, AZ, Robert Buzderewicz, and his wife, Carla of Maine, Richard Buzderewicz of Chelsea and David Buzderewicz and his wife, Doreen of Hampton, NH, and the late Joseph S. Buzderewicz, Jr. He is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews and extended family members.
A memorial gathering and service with military honors will be scheduled and announced by the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home at a date and time in October.
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Hermelindo Reyes
Backyard gardener and farmer with a
“Green Thumb”
Hermelindo Reyes, a Chelsea resident since 1961, passed away Monday afternoon September 18 in the Emergency Department at the Whidden Memorial Hospital after being suddenly stricken in his home. He was 75 years of age and the beloved husband of 52 years to Paulina Reyes.
Born and raised in Villalba Puerto Rico, he was a son of the late Encarnacion Reyes and Antonia Baez de Reyes. He received his early education in Villalba before settling in Chelsea as a young man. He began working at Suffolk Farms in Chelsea and shortly married Paulina Caraballo and together raised two sons. He later supported his family working as a warehouseman for Ben Elfman Carpet in Chelsea.
He was forced to retire at an earlier age due to a debilitating injury. In his retirement he discovered his “green thumb” and took to light gardening and backyard farming, providing a variety of fruits, vegetables and tomatoes for family, friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Paulina Reyes, two devoted sons and their wives; Alberto Reyes and his wife, Alicia of No. Reading and Enrique “Ricky” Reyes and his wife, Eva Robenek of Georgetown; three adoring grandchildren: Taylor Robenek, Krista Joy Reyes and GenaLee Reyes and is also survived by a brother, Wilfredo Reyes in Villalba, his sister, Milagros Reyes of Arecibo, PR. He was predeceased by three brothers: Roberto, Jamie, Andres and Hector Reyes.
Funeral arrangements were by the Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
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Frank D’Esposito
US Postal Service retiree
Frank D’Esposito, a lifelong resident of Chelsea, passed away at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home where he has been receiving supportive care for the last 15 months. He was 86 years old.
He was a US Army veteran. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for over 35 years by the United States Postal Service in their maintenance division. In his leisure time, he enjoyed watching all the Boston sports teams.
The devoted husband for over 55 years to Catherine (Malek), he was the beloved father of Denise DiMeo of Danvers and Gregory Bradley of Chelsea; cherished grandfather to the late Richard and Marisa DiMeo; loving great grandfather of Christian DiMeo of Salem. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Memorial Service in the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, Chelsea on Saturday, September 30 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with prayers being offered at 3:15 p.m. Committal Services are private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. Late United States Army Veteran. To send a message of condolence to Frank’s family, please visit www.smithfuneralhomes.com
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Richard Doherty
Of Chelsea
Richard P. Doherty of Chelsea passed away peacefully on Tuesdaym September 26 at the Beth Israel-Deaconess Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was 77 years old.
Richard was born and raised in Chelsea, a son of the late Edward V. Doherty, Sr. and Alice (Delano) Doherty. Richard attended local schools and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1957. He enlisted in the US Army in 1958, served honorably during the Vietnam Era, was honorably discharged at the rank of PFC(T) in 1961 and served with the army reserve for the next three years being fully released from duty in 1964.
As a young man he worked for the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home as a dishwasher with the kitchen staff. He was a lifelong Chelsea resident, residing for many years on Clark Avenue before taking permanent residence at the Chelsea Soldiers Home nearly 30 years ago.
Richard was a faithful supporter and frequent communicant at St. Michael the Archangel Chapel. He was an avid sports fan and beloved comrade to his fellow residents at the home; he will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him.
He was the beloved brother and brother in law of the late Edward V. “Sonny” Doherty, survived by his wife Nancy Doherty of Chelsea and Jean McCarthy and her late husband Joseph. He was the cherished uncle of Kathleen Fazio, William Doherty and his wife, Nancy, Brian Doherty and Eileen Vitale; adored great-uncle to Christopher and Ryan Doherty, Brianna and Michael Fazio, and Nicholas and Nina Vitale.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all the nurses and staff at the Soldiers Home for all the tender loving care afforded Richard during his lifetime there.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to gather and visit at St, Michael the Archangel Chapel, Cardinal Cushing Pavilion, 91 Crest Ave, (Soldiers Home) Chelsea on Saturday, September 30 from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Visitation to be immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Patrick Healy OMI presiding. Services will conclude with Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.