Obituary of Thelma Buckley

On December 3, 2007 Thelma Kitson Buckley, formerly of New Britain, passed away in her 94th year in Colorado where she had been living the past five years near her daughter Karel. Thelma was the oldest child of Joseph and Violet W. Kitson. Born in East Boston Mass. then moving to Montpelier Vermont and Chicopee Mass. before settling in New Britain in 1924. The family came to New Britain when her father was relocated to engineer the construction of the administration building of the then New Britain Teachers College now CCSU. Thelma graduated from New Britain High School and the Moody Secretarial School. Thelma worked at the Connecticut Light and Power Company and for one year with the governor on the State Development Commission until she married William Buckley in 1941. They lived in New Britain and later wintered in Florida until William's death in 2000. The Buckley's retired for four years at the Avery Heights in Hartford. In 1929 Thelma joined the New Britain Assembly Order of Rainbow Girls at the Masonic Temple. Later Thelma was a Girl Scout leader in the 1940's, she was active in her church, The First Church of Christ, a member since 1932 and had volunteered many years for The Red Cross and worked as an aide during World War II. Other civic activities included the Connecticut Blood Mobile, New Britain Memorial Hospital; Thelma was active in the New Britain Woman's Club, the New Britain Garden Club, and The New Britain YWCA and was a long time member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club. Thelma is preceded in death by her husband William J. Buckley, her parents Joseph and Violet Kitson, and her sister Edith and brothers Carl and Joseph Kitson. She is survived by her children William, Jean and Karel, and her brother John (Jack) Kitson of Florida. Thelma has several grand children, one great grandson, and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to funeral services at The First Church of Christ Corbin Ave. in New Britain at 11 AM December 19. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery Rocky Hill. Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain is in charge of arrangements, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.