Mary F. Orbe, "Felipa," of Boise, Idaho passed away peacefully at a local retirement center surrounded by family on December 30, 2010. A rosary service will be held Monday, January 3, 2011 at 6:30pm at Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel in Nampa, ID. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Good Council in Mountain Home at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 with burial in the Mountain View Cemetery and reception following.

Felipa was born April 30, 1930 in Grandview, Idaho to Nemesio Barayasarra and Victorina Solay who immigrated to Idaho from the Basque province of Bizkaia. Felipa spoke no English when she began school but nevertheless graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1948. Her younger years were spent on the family farm during the Great Depression. The family moved to the Nampa area in January of 1950.

Upon moving to Nampa, Felipa received an RN at Mercy Hospital and shortly after began working at the Boise Veterans Medical Center in 1960Felipa thoroughly enjoyed caring for patients and had a successful career of over thirty years. After retirement she cared for others by watching over her brother, Louis, and spending time with her daughter and grandsons.

One of Felipas greatest treasures in life was the birth of her daughter, Victorina Marie Orbe (Vicki) in 1960. She worked afternoons at the hospital to provide a comfortable life for her daughter.

Spending time with family, crocheting, and embroidering embodied some of Felipas hobbies. Her trips to Nairobi, Kenya and the Basque Country were among the greatest highlights of her life. Felipa was the epitome of the Basque "Amuma" (Grandmother) and taught her three grandsons to preserve the Basque culture through dance, language, and music.

Survivors include four brother: Louis, Frank (Eileen), Michael (Catherine), and James (Marian); daughter, Vicki (Louis); and three grandsons: Lukas, Jacob and Mitchell Murgoitio.

Felipa was preceded in death by her parents Victorina and Nemesio, her sister Alva, and brother Manuel.

Memorials may be made to any charity of your choice.

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