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2017/02/13 - Reno, AEB

(Reno Gazette-Journal, Legacy.com-ek argitara emana)

Mary Nicole Cendagorta

(August 1, 1916 - February 13, 2017)

Mary Nicole Cendagorta (nee Maria Nicolasa Elorza) was born August 1, 1916 in California, and passed away February 13, 2017 at her home at the age of 100 in Reno, Nevada. 

Mary and her family moved back to the Basque Country when she was 2 years old, and she then made the long journey back to America with her brothers and sisters when she was only 16. After studying English and working as a Spanish teacher and companion to a local Reno family, she met and married Joseph Louis Cendagorta, whom she was married to for over 50 years. They had one son, Joseph Louis Cendagorta, Jr. 

Mary & Joe Cendagorta owned and operated Hale's Drugs in Sparks, Nevada. Joe Senior worked as the pharmacist and Mary ran the retail part of Hales Drug Store. After they sold the store, Mary then served as a volunteer at St. Mary's hospital for over 15 years after retirement. Mary was full of life, laughter, and had only one wish - to be surrounded by family and friends, particularly at dinner parties, picnics Sunday night family gatherings and anywhere there was dancing. 

Mary was fearless and passionate about life, learning to cross county ski at age 83, kayaking at family events, and later was featured in the Reno Gazette Journal for the walk she accomplished at age 90 with her son Joe Cendagorta. They walked from Patagonia along the river to Vista in Sparks, one section at a time, and walked the last section with all her grand-children and great grand-children. Mary lived independently in the home she had lived in for 56 years until the very end of her 100 years, and was surrounded by family and friends in her last hours. 

She is survived by her son Joseph Cendagorta, Jr. and his wife Christine Cendagorta, her grand-daughter Cyndy (Cendagorta) Gustafson and her husband Bill, her grandson Mark Cendagorta and his wife Kellee, and six great grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life is being held for Mary on March 3rd 2017 at 3pm at Walton's - O'Brien-Rogers & Crosby Funeral Home at 600 W. 2nd St. Reno, NV with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share a meal with a loved one or dance in your kitchen in honor of our beloved "Amuma" (grandmother in Basque), who would have loved nothing more.

Published from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22, 2017 in Reno Gazette-Journal, Legacy.com