Marie A. Duca

Marie Anne “Marion” Duca (nee Carnese) died peacefully at her home on August 24, 2019, at the age of 94. Marie was born on October 13, 1924 in New York City to Paul and Anna Carnese. She graduated from Bayside High School in 1941. After graduation, she attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and worked for an advertising firm in New York City. On November 11, 1950, she married Eugene (Gene) J Duca Sr, a WWII Marine and NYC Patrolman. They settled in Bayside, New York, where they raised 6 children. Dedicated to the Girl Scouts, Marie ran the local brownie troop for many years, even after her own daughters aged out. An active member of St Kevin’s Church in Flushing, New York, Marie ran the CCD program and was a member of the choir and performed in many of the musical shows there. After many years of raising her children, Marie utilized her secretarial skills and returned to work at a real estate office, where she also earned her real estate license, and later worked in administration at Queensborough Community College. After retirement, Marie and Gene moved to Leisure Village in Ridge, New York, where they were very happy. They met many friends and were active members of St Mark’s Church as well as many Leisure Village clubs and events.

A trained opera singer and accomplished pianist, music was a large part of Marie’s life. She and Gene were season ticket holders to the Metropolitan Opera. Her singing voice was heard by many, whether it be at St Mark’s Church, where she was a cantor and choir member, one of the many shows she performed in at Leisure Village and other local venues, or at family gatherings. At each of her children’s and grandchildren’s weddings, she dedicated and performed a song chosen just for them. She was also an aficionado of Broadway musicals, which she enjoyed talking about with her grandchildren.

Marie will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her devout faith, and her spunk and energy right up to the end. She will also be remembered for her beef stew, her “icebox cake”, chocolate chip and oatmeal butterscotch cookies, as well as her competitive Scrabble playing.

Marie is survived by her children Lorraine Langan, Eugene J. Duca (Marie), Elaine Bitten (Hank), Anita Perry (Tom), Maureen Hosek (Matt) and Sharon Palmer (Frank); her grandchildren Tom (Mariko), Keith (Missy) and Craig (Jessica) Langan, Jeffrey, Valerie and Dan Duca, Brian (Joanna) and Kylene (Matt Cognetta) Bitten, Christine and Katelyn Perry, Matthew, Melissa and Michael Hosek, and Mary and Cara Palmer; her great-grandchildren Kieran and Izumi Langan, Oliver Langan, Samantha and Alexa Bitten, and Anthony, Madison and Vanessa Cognetta; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Eugene J Duca Sr, grandchildren Eric and Karen, and her brother, Paul Carnese Jr.