Manja Pinto, beloved wife and life partner of A.C. Richard Pinto, died July 27, after a long illness. She was 81 year old. Together with her husband, she operated A.C. Richard Pinto & Co., Auctioneers & Appraisers, for more than a half a century.

She was the daughter of Dr Margarete and Alexander Berner of Salzburg, Austria. Manja was born in 1926, was a graduate of the Mozarteam Musical Academy in Vienna, Austria, and was an accomplished concert pianist. She performed her first recital for dignitaries and royalty at the age of 18.

After moving to the United States, Manja pursued her interest in antiques and estates handling, and she became an avid partner with her husband, and remained so until her illness.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Jane Koschak of Branford, Conn., two stepsons, Edward Pinto and Richard Pinto and his wife Cindy, all of Fairfield, Conn., and a grandson, Richard E. Pinto of Brooklyn, New York.

She will be sadly missed by her husband and all those who knew her.