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07/10/2025 - Boise, Idaho, USA

Maria Goitiandia Amuchastegui, 94, of Boise, Idaho, passed away surrounded by family at her son and daughter-in-law’s home, on July 10, 2025.

Maria “Mari” was born on April 23, 1931, in the hamlet of Zubero in the mountains outside of the town of Aulestia, Bizkaia, Spain. Mari was the second of seven children born to Juliana Lecona and Francisco Goitiandia. Her sisters and brothers are: Matilde, Benedicto, Martin, Sabino, Beatriz, and Enrique. She had fond memories of her early days in Zubero, playing with the other children in the neighborhood. She worked as a young person for the Canales Family in Markina as her mother wanted her to learn some life skills and ended up living with them for 3.5 years. She studied cooking briefly at “La Vasca” restaurant in Gernika but returned to help the Canales family in Markina. Her ties with the Canales children continued throughout her life.

A band from Ondarroa used to play in the plaza in Aulestia on Sundays and an energetic trumpet player made his way into her heart. Jose Amuchastegui and Mari were married on August 27, 1955. Together they had two sons, Joe Frank “Patxi” and Alberto “Aitor”. Not long after Aitor’s birth, Jose emigrated to Idaho for work. In October of 1968, Maria and the boys joined Jose and started their new life in the United States.

Jose and Mari made Caldwell, Idaho their home. Mari worked at Troy Laundry for three years beginning in 1969 and then at the Simplot Potato Plant for 17 ½ years. She made many lifelong friends from her time working there, sharing food and stories of their lives during meals and breaks at the plant.

In 1988, a pedestrian-vehicle accident while going to work changed the course of Mari’s life. Unable to continue working, she and Jose moved to a home they had purchased in Boise, Idaho. There she was able to participate in the Biotzetik Basque Choir, attend dinners at the Basque Center and to spend time with family and with many close friends.

Throughout her life, Mari showed her love through feeding people. Whether you were family or friend or the person who cut her lawn – wonderful food, prepared thoughtfully and then graciously shared with others was what brought her joy.

Mari never drove, so the telephone was her link to the outside world – internationally, nationally, and locally. She kept in touch with family and friends and enjoyed calls from others ‘til her final days. She was able to return to the Basque Country a number of times and was pleased to have family visit her here. Mari thoroughly enjoyed trips she made to the Oregon Coast, Yellowstone, San Francisco, and Argentina with family. Mari especially liked going to her sons’ mountain cabins in Lowman and Donnelly where she was even known to catch a fish or two. She could spend hours playing cards with family and friends whenever the opportunity arose. She loved to see her sister in law, Coro who stopped by often to visit.

Mari loved her family. She was very close to her sons and daughters-in-law and felt blessed to be able to spend time with her grandchildren and the great-grandchildren who all lived in the area. She also enjoyed fun gatherings and outings with extended family.

Mari was a kind, soft-spoken, hard-working, loving, honest person. She lived independently, with the help of her sons and their wives, until the last 10 months of her life – always kept a tidy house and prepared healthy meals for herself and extra food for those who would be lucky enough to stop by.

Survivors include her sons and their wives Patxi (Elisabet) and Aitor (Beni), grandchildren: Josu Amuchastegui (Caitlyn), Nerea (Andrew Grodi), Andoni Amuchastegui (Elyse Palumbo), Mikel Amuchastegui (Mandi) and Dioni Amuchastegui (Alex); and great-grandchildren: Amaya, Idoia, Xanti, Madelyn, Amelia, Markel, Ander, Emi, Bennett, and a soon-to-be born new great-grandson. Her brother, Sabino (Maria Carmen) Goitiandia, sister Beatriz, sisters-in-law Coro Goitiandia, Lucia Garechana, and Begona Amuchastegui, first-cousin Josephine Lecona Miller. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, both in Idaho and the Basque Country, and others who referred to her lovingly as “Amuma” or “Tia.”

The family wishes to thank St. Luke’s Hospice for the care given to Maria in 2025, especially the genuine care given by Karlie.

The family suggests that memorial contributions can be made to the Basque Museum & Cultural Center (611 Grove, Boise, Idaho) - where Mari remembered many over the years.

A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave., So., Nampa. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Noon on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 11511 Lake Hazel Road, Boise, Idaho. Burial will take place for any who would like to attend at Morris Hill Cemetery on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel

(Published in Nampa Funeral Home)

Goian Bego (GB) - May she Rest in peace