euskalkultura.eus

11/30/2015 - Elko, Nevada, USA

(published at the Elko Daily Free Press)

Jean Pilar Fagoaga passed to the Lord November 30, 2015, in the ICU Department of Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. She was born May 30, 1937 in Susanville, California to her parents Alfredo and Eugenia Martinez. She was the eldest of six children.

Jean was raised on her parent’s ranch in Standish, California. She was no stranger to the hard work life of ranchers atypical of the era of the Great Depression, World War II and the post Great War era. Being the eldest of her five siblings, much of the raising of them fell unto her childhood obligations as well as ranch labor to which one’s children were the major labor force for families.

Jean was schooled in the Lassen School District of Susanville, California. She graduated from Lassen High School in 1956. Shortly after her high school graduation she moved to San Francisco, California, and worked as a telephone switch board operator for Bell Telephone Company. She did this until she met the love of her life, Rafael Fagoaga, and moved to Elko, Nevada. Rafael was born in Lesaka, Navarra Spain on November 7, 1928. He immigrated and worked in the sheep industry to gain his U.S. Citizenship. In Elko she waitressed at The Star Hotel where Rafael was also employed as a bartender at that time. Their relationship blossomed and they married on May 16, 1959. They had three sons together David (1960), Martin (1962) and Ernesto (1966).

Jean and Rafael were a very driven and dynamic couple, both having been raised with the knowledge of hard work, values and drive towards success. They purchased the Silver Dollar Club located at 400 Commercial Street in Elko, Nevada. They jointly owned and operated the bar until shortly after the untimely passing of Rafael on April 22, 1996. They also jointly owned and operated numerous rental and investment properties in the Elko and Elko County area. Both Jean and Rafael were renowned business people to the Elko community. They continually strived to better their lives and that of the Elko community.

Throughout Jean’s life with Rafael, they both became well known to the Basque community in support of Basque immigrant workers for the local sheep and cattle ranch industries of Nevada, Idaho and California. Uncounted are the vast number of Basques brought to this country by them prearranging work visas towards legal U.S. Citizenship for these immigrants. The Silver Dollar Club became a hub for all manners of employment, mail, correspondence, point of contact, banking services, personal loans, legal representatives, citizenship sponsors, medical needs, and anything one can imagine for these wayward Basque workers in this country. The permanent home and address they didn’t have, as they worked the remote vast ranges in support of the sheep industry.

Jean and Rafael became more than support for these men. They became family to them. The Mother and Father to them in this country, as they were far away from their own families in Spain.

Jean was a loving, giving and nurturing soul her whole life. Always the one who put others before herself and needs, to help others. Her charm, wit, personality, and honest love for all who entered her life is renowned. She ran out of toes and fingers to count the number of God children she amassed in life. She was loved deeply by them all. Jean also was known for her strengths and values in life. There were very few who pushed her limits to face her famous Basque temper. She could certainly stand her own ground with any man, woman or child.

Jean was known far and near as one of the best Basque cooks in this country. Upholding true Basque recipes handed down through the ages of time in the Basque culture. Many recipes of her own making are shared among the Basques. She was also one of the best wild game cooks in the area, as Rafael was an avid sportsman who lived to hunt and fish.

Jean was a full time mother and housewife who was a true hands on partner in her businesses. She managed and ran all property holdings, maintenance, repairs, and bookkeeping tasks for the family as well as worked shifts for years in the Silver Dollar Club. Life was a seven day a week obligation to her with there always being something to do. She always did it herself with minimal outside help.

Jean was diagnosed with cancer in late 1995. In 1996 she lost Rafael and the battle with cancer was won. The toll it took upon her health to win that battle became a lifelong hardship to the very end of her life. She lost her health, she lost her husband, but she never lost her beautiful spirit for all of those in her life. She was a true fighter who loved all and gave all of herself to others until her last breath.

Jean enjoyed many things in life. Crafts, needle work, crotchet, knitting, and embroidery. She loved the outdoors and was an avid sportswoman in life when time allowed. She enjoyed professional sports and was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49er’s. Many a bet have been lost to her over the years. The one thing she enjoyed most was her family and dear friends. Jean was a very loving mother to her children as well as to her grandchildren, raising them with strict values and integrity. She truly was the Matriarch Mother to many in life aside of her own family and children. She was affectionately called Nana by her grandchildren and all younger who knew her, called Mom by all of her son’s peers and known as Pilar to all friends.

Jean is survived by her sons David, Martin and Ernie Fagoaga. Her grandchildren Stephen Fagoaga (son of Ernie) and Angeljean Pilar Fagoaga (daughter of David). Her sisters of Anita Martinez Arduain (Andre) and Louise Martinez Babiste (Jean deceased). Her brothers of Al Martinez (Lois) and Joe Martinez. She joins her sister June Martinez Robinson who passed May 14, 2008, in the Lord’s hands. Sister-in laws Asun (Jose Martin) Fagoaga and Pepi (Cecil) (deceased) Fagoaga of Lesaka Spain and Betty (Nicolas deceased) Fagoaga of Elko, Nevada. She is survived by many nieces and nephews as well as their children.

Many proclaim that Jean has left behind a legacy not only in Elko, but for the Basque heritage itself. We truly believe she has. She is, and will be dearly missed by all. She is once again joined in the loving arms of her beloved husband Rafael. Both now held in the Lord’s arms and dancing eternal in His ballroom called Majesty.

Rosary Services will be held Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home 895 Fairground Road Elko, NV. Funeral Mass Service will be held Monday, December 14, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 990 Highland Drive Elko, NV. Immediately following the service, there will be a Grave Side burial held at Burns Funeral Home’s Garden of Prayer. Ministering the services will be the beloved Father Tom Nelson.

In lieu flowers the family requests that donations be made under the name of Jean Pilar Fagoaga to Elko Euzkaldunak Club P.O. Box 1321 Elko Nevada 89801 or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parrish Office 1035 “C” Street Elko Nevada 89801 for future mass services to be dedicated in her name.

Maite Zaituztegu Ama/Amona eta ikiziko dugu berriro arte.