Alice Josephine (Macchi) Buffis

Alice Josephine Buffis,95, passed away peacefully at Mount Carmel Care Center on February 4, 2025 surrounded by her loving family and wonderful Mount Carmel staff.  Her long and vibrant life began in Lee, MA on December 19, 1929 when she was born to her parents John B. and Anna H. Macchi. She was raised in Lee and spent all of her years there. She attended Lee Public Schools, graduating from Lee High School in 1947.  

She married her beloved husband, the late Lazzaro J. (Digger) Buffis, on October 23, 1948. They spent 63 wonderful years together before his passing in 2011. They loved spending time at their winter home in Englewood, FL, traveling to countless destinations, including Italy, Canada, Hawaii and one of their favorites -Branson, MO, and making many years of special memories with their large circle of friends.

Alice also spent her working life in Lee. She was employed over the years at Owen’s Clothing Store, The Children’s Boutique and at Kimberly Clark.  Her organization skills were second to none and she was “sharp as a tack” until her passing.  She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Lee and a member of the Red Hat Society and the Sons of Italy.  

After Digger’s passing, Alice continued to enjoy an active social life.  She liked playing bingo at St. Mary’s School and at Mount Carmel, going to the movies and out to eat, taking trips to local casinos and she especially loved attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s many sporting events. She also enjoyed passing the time sitting on her porch, tending to her flowers and wind chimes, reading countless mystery novels, scratching her scratch tickets, eating banana split sundaes and watching game shows and the New England Patriots on TV.   

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her beloved daughter Ann L. Belanger of Great Barrington, MA and all of her siblings: Louise, Clara, Silvio, Joseph, John and George. She leaves behind her daughter Donna M. Skowron (Phil) of Lee, her sons Robert M. Buffis (Michelle) of Lanesboro, MA and James T. Buffis (Lisa) of Lee, and her son-in-law Roger Belanger of Great Barrington. In addition, she leaves her grandchildren Marcie Velasco, Allison “AJ” Skowron, Lee O’Leary, Ryan Belanger, Robby Buffis and Marley Buffis, and her great-grandchildren Maya Velasco, Dominic Velasco, Karmyn O’Leary, Kinsley O’Leary and Jamie Belanger. She also leaves her sister-in-law Theresa Macchi, her brother-in-law Richard Devoe and many nieces, nephews and friends.    

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 18th at St. Mary’s Church in Lee at 11 AM.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Carmel Care Center Activities Fund or the Lee Fire Company in c/o Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA  01238. If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net