euskalkultura.eus

01/08/2015 - Modesto, CA, USA

[published at Franklindownsfueralhome.com]

November 20, 1928 - January 08, 2015

After an extended battle with health issues Alice passed away in serene repose with her life partner and loving husband, Walter Chatterton at her bedside. They had enjoyed 61 years of marriage. She joins parents John and Aurora Mallea and sister Carmelita Steinke and niece Claire Rudhohn in the abode of God.

Alice's early family years were formulated in the farming community of Hughson with strong family ties to her father's Basque-Vizcaya customs. Her deep love of animals and the good earth started early. After the family moved to Modesto. Alice graduated from Modesto H.S. and M.J.C. to complete her academic studies before eagerly joining the local work force in 1948 with career ties to Anglo, Crocker, and Wells Fargo Banks.

A friendly arranged double-date in 1953 which led to a private wedding in Carmel, California. Husband Walter, with the aid of the G.l. Bill, completed his MJC stint and transferred to Sacramento State College to complete studies for his teaching degree. The transfer enabled Alice eventual success with Wells Fargo in which she became a respected Real Estate Loan Officer. Retirement in 1989 allowed pursuit of varied art interests including Lost Wax jewelry process, Painting in acrylics, oils, and water colors and especially, studies under Ceramic Master Yoshio Taylor of Consumnes River Community College in Sacramento.

An on-going life-highlight was the acquired passion for Sailing out of Jack London Square into the waters of San Francisco Bay which became a steady activity regardless of the season for some twenty odd years. There are multiple berthings that the Fortune Cookie tied up to around the Bay with friends and family aboard. Angel Island was a favorite lay-over site.

She is survived by her husband, her sister, four nieces, one nephew, their children, and her cousins, from Vizcaya, on her father's side, and their children. And from her husband's family: his sister, two nephews, three nieces and their children.

Accordingly, private burial arrangements outside the Golden Gate are scheduled for the future.