PORTLAND — Karen M. Buckingham, 73 years old, of Portland, passed away peacefully at Maine Medical Center, Thursday, Feb. 8, from complications associated with Type 1 diabetes.

She was born June 17, 1944, in Rumford, to James D. and M. Dorothy (Gallant) Marr. She enjoyed reading, skiing, hiking, bicycling and refinishing furniture.

She graduated from Husson (College) University with an associate degree in 1964 and a B.S. in business education in 1969. She furthered her education receiving a master’s in education in 1979.

Her teaching career included high schools in: Ellsworth, East Hampton, Mass., Bonny Eagle, Standish, Rumford; Mt. Ararat and Woodside Elementary, Topsham; and Longfellow Elementary, Portland. She enjoyed many hours working at McCarthy’s Market, Woodford Street, Portland.

She was predeceased by her husband, John J. Buckingham; her parents; mother-In-law, Mrs. Bernadette Buckingham; sister-in-law, Linda McCray Marr; grandparents; many aunts and uncles; and a very special friend, Sharyn Arnold Siegel.

She is survived by her brother, Keenan R. Marr, and wife, Linda, of Brooklyn, Conn.; sister, Janet M. Grolley, and husband, John J. Grolley Jr., of Portland; a niece and nephews; her “pride and joy,” nephew, James John Marr Grolley, Portland; many cousins and friends near and far; and longtime friend and confidant, Arthur Fuller, and wife, Jennifer, of Greenville, S.C.

To share a memory, please visit www.athutchins.com.

Karen M. Buckingham