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01/12/2021 - Daily City, California, EEUU

(published by San Francisco Chronicle, Legacy.com from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, 2021)

Denise Ourtiague passed on December 1, 2021. She was born in Gamarthe, France in the Basque Region on June 20, 1936. At the age of 25, she moved to San Francisco, California where she worked at a French cleaner. She was one of the first dancers of the San Francisco Zazpiak Bat dance group. Soon after she met her late husband Pierre, and they began to grow their family. Denise is survived by her children Christian Ourtiague (Aine), Daniel (Michelle) Ourtiague, Evelyne Ourtiague Young (Edgar) and Diane Arduain (Patrick), her loving grandchildren Joelle, Nicole, Ellande, Katrina, Sabina and Tehexa. Her sister's Marie Jeanne, Marie Claire, Micheline, and Marie Dominique. Denise was preceded in death by her beloved late husband Pierre, Eric (son), her parents and brother Jean Baptiste.

She enjoyed life to the fullest and had a heart of gold. She was known as the 'Mayor of San Francisco' because it seemed like everywhere, she went she knew someone. She had an infectious smile and a warming personality. She loved singing, family time and sports especially the Golden State Warriors.

After she raised her five children, she went back to work for the San Francisco School District and Basque Cultural Center for twenty years. She was a member of the San Francisco Basque Club and Basque Culture Center.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all our family, friends and the doctor's and nurses at St. Mary's Hospital. Services will be held at St. Gabriel's Church in San Francisco, 2559 40th Avenue, San Francisco on December 9, 2021. Viewing begins at 5:30 pm, followed by Rosary and Funeral Mass at 7:00 pm. Burial services will be on December 10, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. Please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Denise Ourtiague.

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