Maria L Druce

Maria Druce, 81, died at home March 17, after a long illness, with her husband and daughter by her side. Maria was born on December 13, 1942 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Gilberto Rodriguez and Virginia Rodriguez (Figueroa). 

Her father abandoned his family shortly after her birth.  Her mother had friends in NYC who encouraged her to move there for better job opportunities.  Her mother arrived in NYC with everything she owned in one suitcase and carrying her infant daughter.  She supported them with a factory job. 

When Maria graduated from high school they returned to Puerto Rico.  Because Maria was bilingual, she was able to secure a job as an overseas operator for the phone company.  She was on the line with the Cuban exchange when the communists came in and slaughtered all the operators.  

Maria was an army wife for some years and spent time in Germany and various cities across the US.  She arrived in Cheyenne in 1981.  She said Cheyenne was the friendliest place she ever lived and she planned to spend the rest of her life here.  She did volunteer work at the VA hospital and was a housemother at Meadowlark home for unwed mothers.  

Maria married John Druce in 1985 and they had a good life.  She worked in the kitchen at Johnson junior high then spent some time as a cashier at Warren AFB.  In 2012 she started having health issues caused by diabetes. 2018 was the beginning of many hospitalizations, endless doctor visits and finally dialysis.  Through it all she remained happy and upbeat. 

Her favorite past time in her final years was shopping at stores with electric shopping carts. Since she made friends everywhere she went she spent more time visiting than shopping.   Although she fought long and hard her body finally gave out. 

She is survived by her husband John, daughter Deborah, and childhood friend/ honorary sister Milta Curiel. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.