Rita P. Buckingham, 80, of Neshannock Township passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at her residence. Rita was formerly of Silver Hill, Md., before moving here about 13 years ago. She was born June 7, 1934, in Greeley, Kan., to the late Curtis and Genevieve Kress Peine. Rita was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterloo, Iowa, and later graduated from Strayer University in Washington, D.C. Rita was first employed as a secretary for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. She later became the executive secretary for Sen. Hiram Fong of Hawaii, and during this time, traveled extensively throughout Asia and Hawaii. Rita then served as executive secretary for Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California. She retired after 31 years of government service. After her retirement, she returned to work as a secretary for Association Growth Enterprises in Largo, Md. Rita was an active member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish, St. Mary Church, where she enjoyed spending her time volunteering for fundraisers. She was formerly a member of St. Phillip the Apostle Church of Camp Springs, Md. She was married to Robert Ellis Buckingham in 1966, and he preceded her in death in 1990. She is survived by her daughter, Angela M. (Bill) Lytle of New Castle; her son, Andrew C. (Donna) Buckingham of Waldorf, Md.; two grandchildren, Billy and Kayla Lytle; three sisters, Julie Horstman of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Coena (Joseph) Iacovone of Coral Springs, Fla., and Jeannie (Lee) George of Urbandale, Iowa; and an uncle, Dr. Joseph A. Kress of Festus, Mo. Beside her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by a brother, Wallace E. Peine. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 111 W. Falls St. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, for St. Mary Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.