Rosalie Rebecca (Kessler) Buckler – loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022, after a long life filled with kindness, laughter and love.
Born in Providence on November 8, 1927, the daughter of the late Jacob and Sarah (Feldman) Kessler, Rosalie graduated from Hope High School and managed the family business Kessler’s Bakery with her parents and late husband Ralph Buckler until it closed in 1973. She then began a 20-year career at A.T. Cross. After her retirement, she volunteered at Miriam and Women & Infants Hospitals and worked part-time as a supermarket product demonstrator. In recent years, Rosalie was a background actor in film, commercial and TV productions and was featured as a dying nursing home resident in Abe and Phil’s Last Poker Game alongside legendary actors Martin Landau and Paul Sorvino. She loved to dance when the music moved her – even while walking through Old Navy at Warwick Mall. Her passion was cheering the female wrestlers of the WWE and she was an avid fan of The Sopranos, New England Patriots, and boxer Vinny Pazienza. The family will remember her delicious Bubbie Burgers and American Chop Suey.
Rosalie leaves her son Gary Buckler of Warwick and daughter Debbie Rich with whom she lived at Wethersfield Commons, three incredible grandchildren for whom she loved to buy saxophones and drum kits and cruise with on the high seas or down Whipple Road in Lincoln: Tara Buckler of East Providence, Jeremy Rich of Philadelphia, PA and Justin Rich of Van Nuys, CA. She also leaves her sister-in-law Elaine Silva, many nieces and nephews, cousins, good friends, and her toy poodle Lady. She was the sister of the late Morton Kessler of Providence.
Rosalie’s family wishes to give special thanks to the dedicated caregivers of HopeHealth Hospice and St. Elizabeth’s Green House #15 for their exceptional care. Upon her death, Rosalie entered the Health Sciences Anatomical Gift Program at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Please remember her generous spirit by donating in her memory to your favorite charity.
