Intrigued by Florence Nightingale at a young age, led to career in nursing

Published July 23, 2020

NORTH READING — Beverly Ann Buczynski-Kelley, 78, was born in South Boston on November 9, 1941 and passed on July, 17, 2020.

She was predeceased by her parents, Viola Vallely-Driscoll and Joseph P. Driscoll. Also predeceased by her husband Richard D. Kelley with whom she lived in Penobscot, Maine during their retirement years in a lovely home on the Bagaduce River. She is survived by her four loving daughters who surrounded her with so much love, compassion and kindness throughout her life and are all her legacy.

She moved in 2017 to be closer to her girls, Lisa Buczynski Pierce of Hampton Falls, N.H.; Leanne Batten of Haverhill, Jennifer Moretto and her husband Gary of Wilmington, and Amy McCarthy and her husband Chris of North Reading. She had five grandchildren that she adored and supported through their life activities of motorcross racing, baseball games and quality time spent together at her home in Maine and at their homes: Nicholas Batten of Templeton, Joseph and Timothy of North Reading, and Jenna and Garett of Wilmington. She leaves behind her kitty cat Dakota whom she loved dearly. Beverly was the rst born of six girls and is survived by her five sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Beverly, at an early age, was intrigued by Florence Nightingale which led to her commitment and passion as a nurse. She attended Lowell General Nursing School and Middlesex Community where she earned her BSN. She worked for over 37 years at Massachusetts General Hospital, initially in Neurology and later in Cardiology and Hypertension. She was a research nurse for Dr. Randall M. Zussman M.D. of MGH and the renowned Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at MGH and she is part of several published studies.

She traveled the world both individually and with her rst husband Joseph H. Buczynski, and Richard D. Kelley and her daughters, to whom she passed on the passion of travel and knowledge of the world, its people and its cultures.

While she resided in Maine for 15 years she committed much time to healing with Hancock County Hospice as an Intake Coordinator, groups to Save the Bagaduce River, The Reversing Falls and great interest in the sacredness of the Native Americans. She was a Reiki Master and led meditation and healing sessions.

She loved cooking, traveling, knitting, gardening, book clubs, and helping the community. She enjoyed entertaining in her home in Maine, spending time with friends, of whom she had so many, and her family whom she cherished. She will be greatly missed and remembered by all.

A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced in the near future. Arrangements are by the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., North Reading.