Kathleen A. (Fitzgerald) Buckley, age 79, of South Hadley, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday October 25, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Maurice and Kathleen (Russell) Fitzgerald, from County Kerry, Ireland, and was a graduate of the former St. Jerome High School in Holyoke. Kathleen was employed as a telephone operator at New England telephone company in Springfield, and was later employed at Highland Laundry and Stop & Shop in Holyoke. She lived in Holyoke most of her life before moving to South Hadley 12 years ago. Kathleen was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Church, enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod, belonged to the YMCA, and the Local #1459 retirees club. She was the widow of James W. Buckley, Jr., who died on October 1, 1988. Kathleen is survived by five children: James W. Buckley and his wife Deborah of South Hadley, Kathryn A. Guenther of South Hadley, Sharon R. Buckley of South Hadley, Russell P. Buckley of South Hadley, and Karen A. Osterman and her husband Danny of Grove City, OH; eight grandchildren: James, Hannah, Rachelle, Kori, Jakki, Zak, Keeley, and Kaitlin; two great-grandchildren: Brody and Raegan; a sister, Patricia Myron; her beloved dog Teddy, and a lifelong friend Sally. Kathleen was predeceased by a sister, Mary Fitzgerald. The Buckley family would like to extend a special thank you to Kathleen’s nurse Samantha. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday October 28 at 10:00am in Our Lady of the Cross Church, 23 Sycamore St. Holyoke. Burial will follow in St. Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday October 27 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke.