Lynne C. Miller, resident of Beacon Hill, founder of Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill
Lynne (Miller) C. Buckley, age 72, and for many years a resident of Beacon Hill, passed away quietly after a long illness in Oahu, Hawaii, on Oct. 27.
Lynne was the beloved daughter of Henry Ogden Clutsam II and Shirley Jean Stewart. Born in Portchester, N.Y., in March 1944, Lynne became a proud graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., with a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in English literature.
Lynne would eventually end up working for Brooks Brothers in New Jersey, where she quickly became a top seller, admired by management and loved by her customers. This would earn her a trip to Boston, where once again she established herself as one of the best in the business. She enjoyed her work immensely and made friends easily, and over time, built up a loyal and devoted clientele.
That became important for her next venture, a business of her own, Blackstones of Beacon Hill, which she owned and managed from 1997 to 2006. Lynn’s vision for Blackstone’s was to be out with old and in with the new and add a dash of bright color….yellow with white trim. She quickly filled Blackstones with, as her business card read, “Unique and Distinctive Gifts.”
She concentrated on making the store the place to go for all holidays and all occasions. Now, the Beacon Hill community and beyond had the convenience of being able to shop in one location for weddings, birthdays, teacher gifts, homeware and every holiday, especially Christmas for which the store became to be known.
At Blackstones, Lynne was a beloved neighbor and cherished member of the local business community. Her cheerful and welcoming personality was known and appreciated by all. Her generosity and constant philanthropic assistance to the community was always a sign of her devotion to others and to her community.
Lynne is survived by her brother Henry Clutsam of New Vernon, N.J., and her three children: Gretchen Miller-Anderson of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Merritt Miller-Duffy of Flemington, N.J., and Nick Miller of Tokyo, Japan. Lynne was also survived by four grandchildren: Heather Duffy, Hannah Anderson, Emily Anderson and Joshua Anderson.
As a memorial, the family is requesting that any donations be made to Straub Clinic and Hospital Medical Oncology of Honolulu, Hawaii, with special mention to Dr. Ian Okazaki, who cared so dearly for Lynne over many years until her passing.
A memorial service for Lynne will be held in Summit, N.J. in the spring of 2017.
Gifts in memory of Lynne C. Buckley, to support the Cancer Center at Straub, may be made to:
Straub Foundation/Cancer Center
55 Merchant St., Suite 2600
Honolulu, HI 96813