euskalkultura.eus

05/24/2018 - Pehuajó, Argentina

Last Thursday, May 24, Kela Gorri passed away at the age of 94.

Born in Pehuajó in 1923 into a Basque family, her full name was Clelia Edith Gorri Arrese Arguindegui Aramburu.

We adapted this biographical summary from an article published by EuskalKultura.com three years ago

She was a achool teacher and worked in both rural and urban schools in the cities of Trenque Lauquen and Pehuajó.

Fom an early age she participated in the Pehuajo Basque center, together with her brother Hilda - who died in 2015 - and continued belonging al life long. She held various management positions, was president of the Basque club and she was responsible for getting the club's legal status. She was also encouraged by the Basque language, was a regular participant in the Basque National Weeks and published the books 'Euskaldunak Bai Bai' (Basque Yes, Yes) and 'El Olentzero.'

Kela participated in the Basque Country as ambassador of the Etxe Alai in the tribute and recognition made in 1999 to Father Txomin Jakakortexarena, founder of the Basque center of Pehuajó, in the cemetery where the priest's remains are located, in his home town of Berastegi, Gipuzkoa. During the ceremony, an allusive plaque was placed in the presence of the local authorities.

Also within the framework of the activities of the euskal etxea, Kela created the yoga group 'Akelarre' and she leaded it until 2013. Her friends and colleagues of the Etxe Alai referred to her --in the tribute that the city of Pehuajó surrendered her on the occasion of Women's Day - as "a woman with convictions, supportive, firm in her ideas, respectful, hard-working, a fighter for her ideals, and with an intact mind, which we can turn to when we need it".

Also as "friend, collaborator, and an example of life".

Today as then, eskerrik asko, Kela, has been a honor.