Rita Frances Buckley passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on July 29, 2018 in Broomfield, Colorado. She was 90 years old.

Rita was born in Port Chester, New York, on May 25, 1928, to Leonard and Mary Grace (Doria) Sabia. She grew up in Port Chester and graduated from Port Chester High School. She went on to Columbia University where she studied Music Theory.

Rita married Ronald Buckley on September 4, 1954. Together they had three children and they raised their family in Rye, New York. In 2004 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their entire family at Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

She was employed as an accountant and office administrator for several restaurants and businesses in both New York and Connecticut. Later in 1996 she and her husband retired to Pawleys Island in South Carolina. She spent her last three years living with her daughter, Suzanne, in Broomfield, Colorado.

Rita was a member of the Catholic faith. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very active in her children’s sport and activities. She never missed a game. Music was one of her greatest loves. She played clarinet and piano. Rita loved opera and in her 80’s went back to take courses at Coastal Carolina University. She particularly enjoyed Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Her favorite song was Nessun Dorma. She was also active in the Republican club, volunteered for the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts, as well as an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, The Women’s Rye Club and the YMCA in Greenwich.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; her parents Leonard and Mary; brothers, Lenny Sabia Jr, Nick Sabia, John Sabia; nephew, Lenny Sabia III; and one grandson, Tommy Buckley.

She is survived by her three children, Dennis Buckley, Suzanne Buckley, and Ron (Sue) Buckley; grandchildren, Andrew Buckley, Stephen Buckley, Marissa Beach, Michael (Caitlyn) Beach, Chris Buckley, Kyle Buckley; great-grandchildren, Uther Beach, Ryland Beach, Lennon Beach; nieces and nephews; Robert (Susan) Sabia, John (Johanne) Sabia, Denise Sabia, Stephanie (William) Whitbeck, and Jacqueline (Robert) Reese.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to:
St. Jude’s Children Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/give.html

Collier’s Hospice.
https://www.sclhealth.org/ - Click on “Donate” in top right corner