Josephine Barinaga Obituary Josephine Frances Barinaga, 82, passed away on October 17, 2024, after a battle with ovarian cancer at Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, ID. She was born the second of five children to Hipolito Mendazona and Enriqueta Totoricaguena-Mendazona on March 27,1942, in Ontario, OR. Raised speaking Basque on the family farm near Owyhee Junction, Josephine began learning English once she started school, ultimately helping her parents and siblings learn the same. She attended Saint Teresa Academy in Boise before graduating from Adrian High School in 1960. Later, she attended Eastern Oregon State College. She then worked at the medical clinic in Nyssa. She often reminisced about her time working at the clinic with Dr. Kirby, as he became a lifelong and trusted family friend. Josephine married Dr. Albert Barinaga on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1966. Together, they raised four children, whom they considered their greatest pride and joy. Josephine had a deep faith in God, which guided her throughout her life. She was a dedicated member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and a charter supporter of St. Peter School. Josephines love for her Basque heritage was a central part of her life. She loved preparing and sharing traditional Basque dishes such as cod fish, rice, and flan, and eagerly participated in Basque events. She enjoyed attending the Basque pavilions at various World Fairs and never missed a Jaialdi celebration. Her support for Basque culture extended to several organizations, including the Ontario Basque Club, the Boise Euskaldunak Club, and the Boise Basque Museum. She and her husband Al traveled extensively, visiting Europe on multiple occasions, exploring North America, and of course, the Basque Country where close and distant relatives were found and friendships forged. An adventurous traveler, Josephine had an uncanny ability to navigate new towns and cities. With a natural sense of direction, she could find her way around like a local during a single visit. Her talent for discovering interesting restaurants and shops impressed all... long before the internet. When her children were young, the family spent weekends camping throughout the Northwest, boating and enjoying water sports and fishing. Owyhee Reservoir was a favorite destination and the family knew every cove where "glass" could be found for waterskiing, no matter the wind direction. Family road-trips were another favorite, packing up the station wagon in the dead of night, the children nestled in sleeping bags in the back, with she and Al team-driving to interesting destinations. Photos of family members, reminiscent of the Griswalds in front of the family truckster, in places like Reno, Portland, Disneyland, Vancouver, Chicago, and the East Coast, created lasting memories for the family. The family could not have had a better matriarchal role model in Josephine. She unwaveringly supported her children in their endeavors and later her grandchildren. Her children will miss her inquisitive nature, advice and ever-presence and the grandchildren will yearn for the attention of their "Amuma" for years to come. She was always available for anybody who needed to talk and relished the close relationships she instilled in close and extended family. Josephine always felt lucky to have close relationships with her four siblings. Daily FaceTime calls, regular shopping trips and lunches, and the occasional memorable road trip gave them stories and laughs for years. She also cherished her cousins, the Aranas, Totoricas, and Aldapes, and the unique relationships she had with all of her nieces and nephews. Known for her warm hospitality, Josephine was an excellent cook whose meals were enjoyed by friends and family alike. Her lively personality and infectious laughter could light up any room. She also had a keen sense of style, and her love for shopping often led to multi-day excursions where her enthusiasm never waned, from store open to close. Josephine is survived by her children: Maria (Dr. Rhett Tipton) of Fruitland, ID; Michele of Bend, OR; Dr. John (Kimberly) of Fruitland; and Dr. Carmela (Dr. Kenneth Shirtcliff) of Bend. She also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren: Angela (Ethan Sabala), Elena (Josiah Radcliffe), Garrett (Alisha), and Daniella Tipton; Sisely, Dominic, Andoni, Ysabel, and Mariella DeLisi; Marcus and Luke Barinaga; and Gabriella, Joseph, and Luke Shirtcliff. Josephine is also survived by her brother Henry (Shirley) Mendazona, sisters Teresa (Pablo Aramburu), Victoria (Larry Tuttle), and Angeles (Richard Pietrini), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Barinaga and her parents. Memorials in Josephines name may be made to the Ontario Basque Club (ontariobasqueclub.org) or 1p36 Deletion Support and Awareness (1p36dsa.org). The funeral will be held Monday, December 23rd at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Ontario with a Rosary at 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel. Services Recitation of the Rosary Monday December 23, 2024 10:30 AM Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 850-700 SW 2nd Ave. Ontario, OR 97914 Funeral Mass Monday December 23, 2024 11:00 AM Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 850-700 SW 2nd Ave. Ontario, OR 97914