Lucy Jane Buckley

Lucy Jane Hopkins Buckley passed away peacefully on March 22, 2023, at the age of 92. She was born July 8, 1930 in Eastham, grew up in Orleans, and graduated from Orleans High School in 1948. She was the daughter of Reuben and Lucy (Knowles) Hopkins, and was a direct descendent of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower. Lucy graduated from Simmons College, class of 1952, with a degree in Physical Therapy. She married Joseph Buckley of Chatham in 1953, and they built a home overlooking the Oyster Pond, where their five children grew up.

Lucy chose medicine and healthcare as her career, in part due to two childhood experiences. She had mild polio at age six, which as an adult caused stair climbing and long walks to be very tiring. In addition, her good childhood friend Florence suffered a stroke that left her friend with a lifelong disability.

Lucy was passionate about her physical therapy work, and first treated patients in their own homes, often bringing along her young children. She then opened her clinic, Rehabilitation Associates of Cape Cod, first in Chatham and then breaking ground in East Harwich for the new, bigger building. She had the first private practice accredited agency in the Northeast, which benefited physical therapists nationwide. She was appointed by Governor Dukakis to the Board of Allied Health Professionals for Massachusetts, and was elected its chair. Lucy earned many awards in her field, including the prestigious Robert Dicus Award in 1986, for her success and contributions to the field of physical therapy. This was the highest honor awarded by the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and she was the first woman to receive it. After Lucy retired, she developed the Better Bones program, and educated seniors on osteoporosis and post polio syndrome. Her contributions of helping and teaching patients and students was exemplary and lifelong.

Lucy was very involved in her alma mater, enjoyed many reunions, and gave the commencement speech for the Simmons physical therapy students in 1988. Back in the 80’s, she also received the Woman of the Year award by the Nauset Business and Professional Women's Club. She was involved in the American Field Service program (AFS), and hosted a domestic exchange student (Alberta) for a semester in 1975. In the early 70’s, she served on Chatham’s original ad hoc drug task force committee, served on the affordable housing committee, and sang in The Chatham Chorale.

She enjoyed life to the fullest, with a wide variety of interests. Extremely intelligent, she was a great conversationalist on many subjects. She learned to cook at a young age, and quickly became an excellent gourmet cook. She enjoyed having a house full of family, friends, visitors, and pets. She also raised Keeshond show dogs and attended her dog club meetings regularly. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling to Europe for river cruises with her companion Ed Jepsen, and vacationing in Cancun with her longtime friends, Judy and Cathy. She attended shows at the Monomoy Theatre regularly, and enjoyed local gallery openings and supporting the arts. She also enjoyed the activities at The Atwood House.

She leaves behind her children, Stephen Buckley (Beverly), Katie Waters, Meg Springer (Jason), Elisabeth Kelly (Chris), and Andrew Buckley. Her seven grandchildren meant the world to her: Alison, Hannah, Sam, Hope, Noah, Jonah, and Sofie, and one great grandson, William. She also leaves her brother Richard Hopkins, of Orleans, and was predeceased by her brother Stephen Hopkins.

Many thanks to all the helping hands that made it possible for Lucy to live comfortably many more years than expected, after her emergency heart surgery (aortic dissection) 11 years ago. Typical of Lucy, she had much more to teach us all.

No services are planned at this time. For online condolences, please visit: www.nickersonfunerals.com

Donations in memorium may be sent to Eldredge Public Library, Orpheum Theater or Atwood House.