Joan Patricia (Maher) Buckley, 93 of Middletown, RI passed peacefully on November 7, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was the dedicated wife of the late Daniel B. Buckley (USN, retired) to whom she shared 53 years of marriage.
Joan was born in Fall River, MA on June 6, 1932, to the late John Maher and Mary (Harrington) Maher.
She graduated from Durfee High School in Fall River, MA and was a devoted member of St. Lucy’s Parish in Middletown.
To have known Joanie, is to have loved Joanie. From her warm-hearted smile that greeted you walking into the Ames Department store, the countless volunteer hours at Lucy’s Hearth and local soup kitchens or her dedication to her family, Joan’s greatest gift to the world was her faith and always putting others before herself.
Joan was a selfless provider who instilled the value of hard work in her family. During her husband’s many military deployments the family resided in various locales such as North Carolina, California, Massachusetts, and Cuba before settling in Rhode Island. Throughout these years Joan was the rock who took care of her family’s needs.
She retired from employment the moment she learned she was becoming a grandmother. Joan cared for her 6 grandchildren daily with the utmost selflessness and devotion.
Joan is survived by her children Stephanie J. Buckley and her husband William H. Pitts of Portsmouth RI, Sean M. Buckley of Middletown, RI, and Karen (Buckley) Harvey and her husband William W. Harvey II of Portsmouth, RI; grandchildren Isabella L. Pitts, Daniel W. Pitts, and Matthew J. Pitts; William R. Harvey, Shane B. Harvey, and Maxwell C. Harvey; niece Kathleen D. Dunne and nephew Owen F. Dunne Jr.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, Bernard, John, Keavin, Mary, and Theresa.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations to Lucy’s Hearth of Middletown, RI, https://www.lucyshearth.org/ways-to-give/ would be appreciated.