Maria Emma Duco Laird passed away peacefully at 91 late Friday, May 25, 2012 at her home in Albuquerque. She was born in Gioa del Colle, Italy where she spent her early childhood on her grandparents' farm. Despite not learning English until she came to America at the age of nine, Emma was valedictorian of her high school class in New York City. She worked as a seamstress on designer wedding gowns and was active in the ILGWU, serving as chairwoman for several years. In 1972, Emma moved to Albuquerque where she and her husband, Michael Duco, founded the New Mexico chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill; she was its second president. She was a devout Catholic and an energetic parishioner of The Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Albuquerque, to whose Altar Rosary Society she was particularly devoted. We shall miss her indomitable spirit, vibrant personality, kindness and great devotion to her family and many friends. Emma is survived by her brother, Julius Bosco; sister, Pearl Bosco; her daughters, Mary Ann Duco, Linda Ristvet and husband, Byron; her grandchildren, Tara Olguin, Bethany Ayers, Lauren and Matthew Ristvet; and her great-grandchildren, Gabriel Meek, Isaiah Olguin, Robert and James Haughton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Angela Ripa and Joseph Bosco; her stepmothers, Angela DeBenedictis and Margaret Bosco; husbands, Michael Duco and Clifford Laird; sister, Lena Manchesian; brother, Frank Bosco; and beloved son, Michael Duco. Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at The Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Rd NE, with visitation beginning at 4:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St. Bernadette. Burial will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
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