Emily Ederer

Emily Ederer, loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor, died peacefully in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of eighty-six. She leaves behind loyal family, friends, and professional colleagues who mourn their loss, yet are comforted knowing that Emily lived a wonderful life, which she shared with her late husband, Chuck, for more than 60 years. She is now in the loving arms of our Lord.

Emily was born in El Paso, Texas, on Friday, May 8, 1936 to Raymond Pineda, a successful pharmacist, and Emilia Holguin Pineda, the daughter of a prominent ranching family in Chihuahua, Mexico. When Emily was thirteen years old, Raymond and Emilia moved their family to Albuquerque in support of Raymond’s burgeoning career. Emily attended Jefferson Middle School and graduated from Highland High School. She attended the University of New Mexico, where she met her husband, Charles (Chuck) Joseph Ederer, who proudly served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War.

Emily and Chuck were married on August 24, 1957, following a storied romance that continued throughout their lives. After Chuck completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico, the couple moved to Minneapolis, where he received a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. Emily and Chuck raised their two sons, Robert Gregory and Charles Daniel, in a life of adventure as Chuck’s career took the family to new residences including Thousand Oaks, California; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and, Las Vegas, Nevada. Emily and Chuck eventually returned to Albuquerque where they bought a home on Ridgecrest Drive, the same street where Emily grew up.

Upon their return, Emily re-enrolled in the University of New Mexico to complete her undergraduate degree and, later, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She began taking mediation training and working at the New Mexico Mediation Center, and joined the Children’s Court as a therapist for Youth and Family Counseling. She was recruited to the Family Court Clinic as a mediator where she stayed until her retirement. Emily continued her work beyond retirement at Samaritan Counseling, providing consultation to therapists working on court cases. Only the pandemic interfered with her work.

Emily was a lover of people, children, family, relationships and culture. She cherished her home, the southwest, and memories of traveling to Spain and flamenco music in the caves of Granada. She was an avid reader, a watercolor painter, a poet, and a bon vivant with a thirst for good food, wine, and conversation. She was a deft story teller with a signature sense of humor and lived by a moral code of compassion with integrity.

Emily is survived by her son, Charles (Carli); Carli’s wife, Amy; and Carli’s son, her beloved grandson, Alexander. She is also survived by her son, Robert (Rob) and his family; her brothers, Peter and Charlie; as well as niece Brenda Lujan; and nephews, Teddy Crouch and Danny Crouch, and their loving families.  Emily’s family and friends will celebrate her life at a private ceremony in Albuquerque.

She was a passionate supporter of the National Shrine of St. Jude, which gave her great comfort especially during a victorious battle with cancer.

Please make a donation in her name to:

St. Jude League
205 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-544-8230

www.shrineofstjude.org