Maria Cecile (Duchesneau) Friedlander

Maria Friedlander, passed away in Albuquerque, NM peacefully on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the age of 89 in her loving daughter's home after suffering from a broken hip.
Born in West Warwick, RI, Maria was the youngest of five children in a talented musical family. At the age of four, her father discovered she had a natural talent for playing the piano because she had perfect pitch. Her natural talents in music and teaching later impacted countless generations of children.
She began her adult life as a devoted wife and mother. Maria faithfully supported her loving husband, Arthur Langlois, in his 20-year Air Force career, traveling throughout the country and overseas to Japan.
As a busy working mother of four children, she always found time to be involved in their lives through scout meetings, music lessons, band practice, skating lessons and the many accompanying competitions. The family home was filled with love, hope, laughter and faith and many great holiday and birthday celebrations of homemade pies, cakes and cookies. She always encouraged her children to follow their individual dreams and careers in music, business, science and engineering.
After Arthur retired from his military career in Albuquerque, the family moved to their home state of Rhode Island so her children would finally be able to know their family roots and extended family and she would be there for her elderly father.
After 10 years in Rhode Island, she moved back to her beloved Albuquerque where she started her professional career at Sandia National Labs, became single, and after many years met and married her second husband Teddy Friedlander. Teddy passed away after a few short years of marriage and she retired from Sandia to begin her dream to teach full time.
Her piano teaching business flourished for almost 50 years growing through her reputation and word of mouth. For many years she taught up to 100 students a week. Many of her students became music professionals as choir directors, accompanists, artists, composers, arrangers, and life-long learners.
She was buried at Fairview Cemetery alongside her late husband Teddy Friedlander with a small graveside service attended by her four children, friends, and devoted piano students.
Maria is preceded in death by her father and mother, Eugene and Delia Duchesneau and her three brothers and one sister, Bernard, Robert, Ray and Angela Duchesneau.
She is survived by her eldest son Michael and his partner Brenda; granddaughter Michelle Whitaker and husband Nick; and great-grandchildren Emerson and Eveleigh Whitaker; grandson Jeffrey Langlois and wife Beth; and great-grandchildren Andrew and Matthew Langlois; her second son Gary; with grandson Justin Langlois and granddaughter Jenica Langlois; and youngest son Stephen Langlois and his wife Joann and grandsons Robert and Frankie; and her only daughter Sherrie Trezza and her husband Steve.
Maria was also a lover of animals, particularly birds and dogs. Her two dogs, Misha and Mickey, and her birds are continuing to be loved in their new homes.
A Celebration of her Life is being planned for Friday evening September 29, 2023 at the American Legion Post at 11005 Central Ave NE Albuquerque, NM. for all who knew and loved her. Please RSVP to Sherrie Trezza at 505-934-4773.