Maria Rita Teresa Aquino Albert Rudden

Maria Rita Teresa Aquino Albert Rudden (Maritzie), age 79, passed away on June 7, 2025. Born in Manila in 1945 to Captain Carlos Albert and Mila Aquino, she came from a prominent Filipino political family. Her uncle, Benigno Aquino, was assassinated upon returning to the Philippines to challenge the Marcos regime, and his wife, Corazon Aquino, later became president after the People Power Revolution.
   Maria met Michael Scott Rudden in 1967, introduced by their fathers, who were Naval Academy classmates. After a long-distance romance, Maria returned to the U.S. to earn her master’s degree at the University of Florida and her PhD from Penn State University. They married in March 1972 and enjoyed 59 wonderful years together.  They lived in Boston, where Maria had a successful career with several high tech companies. In 2015, they retired to Cape Cod, where Maria was deeply involved in community and justice causes, including the Coalition for Safe Communities and the Family Pantry. She was actively involved in Safe Harbors with a focus on justice and compassion for immigrants and anyone in need.  She was also a lector at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church and was recognized as Democrat of the Year by the Harwich Democratic Committee. Maria is survived by her husband, Michael, her daughter, Cristina Maria Rudden, son in law James Kirsch and her grandson, Jasper Rudden Kirsch.