euskalkultura.eus

03/31/2022 - Visalia, California, USA

By the Chino Basque Club:

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
Proverbs 31:26

Our beloved Sophie Quintana was born to French immigrants Joseph and Marie Jeanne Pelous in the family farmhouse in Buena Park, California, on December 30, 1922. Sophie followed her older brother Alexis Pelous and sister Rose Pelous into a family and life built around their faith, farming, and French heritage. She passed away from natural causes at the age of 99 on March 31, 2022 at her home in the Casa Grande Assisted Living facility in Visalia, California.

She attended Centralia Elementary School, Anaheim High School, and Fullerton Junior College where her natural athletic ability was recognized along the way. Sophie often related fond memories of friends she made playing softball in the early 1940s as pitcher on the nationally competitive Buena Park Lynx softball team in the Pacific Coast Softball League. Her not-so-fond memories were of uncomfortable uniforms and breaking her leg sliding into second base.

On June 23, 1951, Sophie married Gabino Quintana with whom she would spend the next 66 years full of love, laughter, and good health until his passing in 2017 at 100 years old. They owned and operated the Quintana sheep ranch in the Corona hills where Sophie learned a new type of livestock farming and was introduced to the rich heritage of Basque culture. Even after their retirement and move to Porterville, California, Gabby and Sophie enjoyed traveling the western United States and Spain, visiting sheep ranches owned by friends and attending traditional Basque picnics. Until her death Sophie remained a supporter of the California sheep industry through her membership in the Bo Peeps ladies auxiliary in Bakersfield.

Gaby and Sophie also enjoyed visiting her family in the south of France, as well as hosting family visitors to the U.S. Sophie remained active in the French Hospital Auxiliary of Los Angeles, as well as the Be'arnais Society celebrating her heritage from the Be'arn province of France. In Porterville she was a member of St. Anne's Church and a loyal supporter of the parish school.

Until it became physically impossible in her late 90s, Sophie spent holidays and special occasions surrounded by family, which included her sister Rose, her brother Alex and sister-in-law Agnes, to whom she was more like sister. This included her three nieces, Mary Jean, Joanne and Cathy, plus their families. To her nieces, their children, and their grandchildren, she was Aunt Sophie, the person they loved to see at all the family gatherings and celebrations. They could always count on being treated to her sweet smile and unwavering support for all their endeavors, large and small. Aunt Sophie had a God-given gift exuding kindness and love to anyone who was fortunate enough to know her. This came from a profound faith that made her a living example of the Lord's scripture that teaches us how to live as Christians.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Aunt Sophie seemed to be as strong physically as she was spiritually, bouncing back quickly from various health issues. Her explanation for her stoic acceptance of life's challenges was that she simply prayed through them. Fittingly, she left this life with nieces Mary Jean and Cathy praying with her at her bedside.

Sophie is predeceased by her husband, Gabino Quintana; brother, Alex Pelous; and sister, Rose Pelous. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Agnes Pelous; and nieces, Mary Jean Kronbetter (Chuck); Joanne Hurley, (Russ); and Cathy Beltran (Fred), as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Aunt Sophie's dedicated doctor, Jasvir Sidhu MD of Porterville, for his many years of compassionate care. Special thanks also goes to the attentive owners and staff at Casa Grande Assisted Living facility in Visalia.

Rosary and mass will be Thursday, April 28 at 10:00 AM at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 4824 Jones, Ave., Riverside, California. Interment follows at Crestlawn Memorial Park, 11500 Arlington Ave., Riverside, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of donor's choice.

Goian Bego (GB) - May she Rest in Peace