Mary Menicucci

After a long and beautiful life, Mary C. Menicucci passed peacefully in her home on Sunday, December 3, 2023. She was born in Albuquerque at St. Joseph's Hospital on November 29, 1929, to Letizia and Maggiorino Nicola, who had recently immigrated from Northern Italy. Mary grew up helping her parents in their grocery store on Bellamah and 4th Street and attended school at St. Mary's Catholic School. There she met her dearest friends, Anita, Theresa, Jean, and Peggy, and journeyed through life's ups and downs with them. She met Dante J. Menicucci at Immaculate Conception Church and embarked on a 57-year marriage. He was her beloved partner and together they lovingly raised a family, practiced their Catholic faith with devotion and humility, opened their home to friends, relatives, and their children's friends, and traveled around the US, Canada, and Italy. They never missed a child's game or event and strived to attend the numerous school and life events of their nine busy grandchildren. Mary made her home the family hub and, with Dante, hosted many abundant Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, the latter featuring amazing, home-made ravioli.

Mary was a caretaker, nurturer, and leader who channeled those gifts into five decades of work as a counselor for Birthright, where she and the other counselors provided guidance and support to pregnant women who were facing difficult choices. She served as the director and co-director of the Albuquerque Birthright and a Regional Consultant assisting Birthrights throughout New Mexico. In 2021, Birthright International gave her the Louise Summerhill Pinnacle Award for her service and dedication. In the 70s and 80s, she helped form a home for unwed mothers and served on the board of Chaparral adoption agency.

Mary is survived by her five children, Michael Menicucci (Debbie), Anne Menicucci, Tom Menicucci (Kathy), Margaret Menicucci (Michael Whellan), and Joseph Menicucci (Connie); nine grandchildren, Steven (Kristin Snopkowski), Shawn (Brittany), Sarah, Christopher (Anastasha), Jimmie, Jacob, and Lucas Menicucci, and Alexis and Hannah Whellan; and three great-grandchildren, Bryce, Kasen, and Colton Menicucci. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dante J. Menicucci; her parents, Maggiorino and Letizia Nicola; and her dear cousin, Aldo Vaio, whom she loved as a brother.

The family worked together to ensure that she could live comfortably in these final years, with Tom and Anne especially devoting time to her medical care and companionship. The family is grateful for the assistance of several loving caregivers to Mary, including the Sisters and staff from Our Lady of Guadalupe Home Health Care and Irene Lopez, Yolanda Gonzales, Donna Palmer, and Kristina Taminich.

A Visitation and the Recitation of the Rosary will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m., followed by the Celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m., all at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE. Interment will occur at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Birthright of Albuquerque.