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Emma Bernal Marquez joined our Lord and Savior on April 14, 2005 after a short illness. She was born in Albuquerque on May 19, 1908 and lived most of her life in Tome, NM. Her mother died when Emma was only sixteen leaving her with six younger siblings to care for, the youngest, Carmen, being only two months old. Her long life of service began then as she became their surrogate mother. Her father was a carpenter and mason and took his family between New Mexico and Arizona wherever he found work. Emma's early life was on a homestead in Eastern Arizona and she often told of riding a horse to school with her brothers. She married Santiago in 1928 and they brought Carmen to Tome and raised her as their own daughter. She and her beloved husband, Santiago, built a farm in Tome on which they raised their family. They survived the Great Depression but her stories of the hardships they endured were always filled with the humor of those situations. She and Santiago treasured education and their proudest achievements were that their five children received college educations. Her life was one long story of service to her family and the community. She will be remembered fondly as the matriarch of a large extended family with whom she was always treasured. Emma is preceded in death by her husband, Santiago Marquez; two sons, Gilbert and Benito; four brothers; and two sisters. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Carmen Baca, widow of Doroteo Baca of Tome, NM; her children, Leo Marquez and his wife, Stella of Albuquerque, Ruben Marquez and his wife, Pedie of Kansas City, MO, Jim and his wife, Helen of Albuquerque, Mary Ann Greiner of Alliance, OH; and daughter-in-law, Esther Marquez, who was married to Emma's son, Benito, who preceded Emma in death in 1992. Emma is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. All services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome beginning with a viewing on Sunday, April 17, 2005 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 18, 2005, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. with the Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Tome Catholic Cemetery. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen.
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