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Madeleine Sarina Finz, March 28, 1919 to October 18, 2002. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Madeleine S. Finz died Friday at her Albuquerque home after suffering from pancreatic cancer. She was 83. Madeleine was born in New York City to Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Turkey. Her mother, Jamila Saddy, died when Maddy was 10. She and her younger sister, Marguerite, were raised by their father, John Saddy, with help from their aunt, Perlina Affoumado. The sisters grew up and attended school in Brooklyn. At the age of 20, Maddy married her childhood sweetheart, Robert S. Finz. They moved to the Bronx shortly after the birth of their first child, Steven. Several months later, Madeleine's husband, Bob, entered the Army and was stationed in Brazil for the duration of WWII. A few years after his army discharge, their second son, Gene, was born. Their daughter, Janet, came five years later and the family moved to Hollis, Queens. Madeleine's home became a hub to the family's many European relatives and other visitors. She was a warm and hospitable hostess. From her kitchen wafted the scents of exotic Mediterranean dishes. On her table there was always an abundance of traditional Sephardic delicacies. As her children grew, Madeleine began a career in the mortgage banking field, but her devotion to family remained her priority. Her oldest son and his wife, Iris, live in the Sea Ranch, California. Janet Finz settled in Julian, California. In 1991, Maddy & Bob bought a home in Albuquerque, where their son, Gene, is in the auction and real estate business. She loved the New Mexico mountains and the desert's serenity. During their marriage, which celebrated its 63rd anniversary just days before her passing, Maddy & Bob traveled throughout the United States and the world. No one who ever met Maddy failed to admire her youthful love of life, dignity, humility, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and the fact that she could never sustain anger or ill-will toward anyone. In addition to her husband and children, Madeleine is survived by her grandchildren, Stacy Finz, of Berkeley, Ca., Laura Finz, of San Luis Obispo, Ca., Noah Finz, of Greenwich, Ct., Jena Schindler of S. Windsor, Ct., great grandchildren Kaley and Zachary Wise, of San Luis Obispo, Ca., and her very close and dear friend, Georgia ReQua of Albuquerque. Madeleine will be remembered at a Memorial Service this Wednesday, October 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel, 924 Menaul, NE. Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb will officiate. Guests will be received at the family home following the service.
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