euskalkultura.eus

07/27/2021 - Boise, Idaho, USA

March 3, 1930 - July 27, 2021

Patricia Mallea, age 91 passed away Tuesday July 27, in Boise, Idaho. Pat was a long time resident of Caldwell, Idaho and moved to Boise in November 2019 to be closer to her children.

Pat was born on March 3rd, 1930 in Pocatello, Idaho to Bernard Aloysius and Margaret Herman McDevitt. She was the third child and first daughter of twelve children born into this family.

Mom attended schools in Pocatello and graduated from Pocatello High school in 1948. She worked for her father's law office as an office assistant after high school every day and then went to work the evening shift as a nurse's aide at St. Anthony hospital until late at night. Her work at St. Anthony's prepared her well for a lifetime of caring and service to others.

Mom attended Idaho State College from 1948 to 1950. She was enrolled in chemistry and was struggling in chemistry lab when a dashing, dark eyed older student offered to help her as he was a lab assistant to the professor. This green eyed, auburn haired beauty caught his eye and he was more than happy to assist her, and he finally had the courage to ask her out for coffee one day and their romance began. Dad had returned from WWII and was enrolled in the 4 year pharmacy school program and he took a shine to this feisty redhead!

Mom and Dad were married September 30, 1950 in St. Anthony's church in Pocatello. They raised five children between Twin Falls and Caldwell, finally settling in Caldwell in 1960.

Mom and Dad purchased Whittle's pharmacy in the early 1960's, later naming it Mallea's Pharmacy. Mom was the C.F.O of the operation, as well as chief bookkeeper, unpaid Saturday afternoon helper and errand runner for the pharmacy. These few hours every Saturday afternoon gave them some much needed time together which would sometimes then turn into a date at the Stagecoach in Garden City for dinner.

They made an excellent team both in business and as loving partners and parents of our family.

Mom and Dad were founding members of the Caldwell Basque Dance and Euskaldunak organization. This non-profit, all volunteer organization was started by several Caldwell Basque gentlemen and their wives and over the years raised hundreds of thousands of dollars with the Annual Basque dance. Proceeds were distributed to many local families ranging from assistance with daily living expenses as well as paying for costly organ transplants which insurance did not cover back in those days.

Mom would always wear green from head to toe on the night of the Basque dance, while everyone else in the organization wore white and black and red. She did not want people to forget that she was Irish!

Mom worked as a substitute teacher for the Caldwell School district for many years

Mom was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Catholic Women's League. She served in many capacities in this organization.

She also was a member of P.E.O in Caldwell. Both organizations helped many people over the years in countless ways. She made many, many and very dear and enduring friendships in her lifetime.

In the spring of 1980 Mom was elected to the Caldwell City Council and served for 10 years.

She also served on the board of the Association of Idaho Cities She was very proud of her service to her community. She was honored by the Idaho Statesman as a Distinguished Citizen.

After selling the pharmacy Mom and Dad did some traveling and especially loved fishing and traveling in our beautiful state of Idaho. She was never happier than with a fishing rod in her hand, standing along the banks of the South Fork of the Payette River in Grandjean. It was Heaven on Earth for Mom and she was a fantastic fisherwoman, usually skunking everyone else in the fishing party. Dion spent many years enjoying this priceless time with her parents.

In late summer of 2000, Mom accompanied our sister Rita to Seattle. Rita was going to receive a stem cell transplant to fight her recurring battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Mom and Rita were together every day for these grueling 5 months and Mom was by her side the whole way. Each of them were fighting a battle; Rita to save her own life and Mom to save Rita. It was a very difficult time for them but also an unforgettable and priceless blessing for them both.

Mom is preceded in death by her beloved Leonard, cherished daughter Rita and 7 of her siblings.

She is survived by children Dan and Kathy, Ken and Nancy, Mike and Kim, and Dion and Craig. She has 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Mom raised us with the following values: Education is priceless, be generous to others as we were given many blessings, provide service to others, and the belief that since we had many opportunities and were given much, that much was expected of us in return.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Caldwell. Burial will be at the Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, with a reception following. Please consider a donation to a favorite charity.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com

(published by Idaho Statesman, Legacy.com on Aug. 1, 2021)

Goian Bego (GB) - Rest in Peace