Mary Louise Arrillaga Read

Mary Louise Arrillaga Read passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was a quiet, gentle soul and her love and beauty will be terribly missed by all who crossed her path.

Rosary was recited on December 30, 2018 at 6:00 P.M.by Father Antonio Eguiguren. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 31, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church with Father German Osorio as celebrant. Burial followed at Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of Rost Funeral Home.

Mary was born to Antero and Josefa Jayo Arrillaga on May 25, 1921 in Mountain Home, ID. She graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1939 and was the last survivor of her graduating class. She attended cosmetology school in Boise, ID and lived in a Basque boarding house while attending school. She opened her own beauty shop on Main Street in Mountain Home and began her life’s work as a beautician. This would lead to her “curling hair” for more than 75 years, not only in her shop but also at the nursing home at the hospital, at Cedar Crest Retirement Center, and making house calls for some of her customers who could not leave their homes. She was named as an Outstanding Woman of the year in 2001 by the Mountain Home Historical Museum as the Longest Continuing Business By Original Owner at the age of 79. She finally retired in 2014.

Mary married Wally Read on January 20, 1943 in Las Vegas, Nevada and their marriage was blessed at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church on April 27, 1975 by Father Thomas Herran. They were happily married for 42 years until he passed away March 12, 1985. She was very proud of her Basque heritage and attended many Basque picnics and dances through the years. She loved playing the “one-armed bandit” in Jackpot and Elko.

Mary is survived by her daughter DeeDee Todd (Carl), grandchildren Misty Cram (Dan), Steven Letson, Bobby Dee (Jaime), and Jessica Gomez (Daniel), sons-in-laws Bob Dee and Jose Gomez, sister Phyllis Bate, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wally, daughter Kristine Dee, brothers John and Joe Arrillaga, and nephew Mike Arrillaga Sr.

She was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church, Elkettes #2276, American Legion # 26, and Euskal Lagunak Basque Association.

Memorials in Mary’s name can be made to Euskal Lagunak, P.O. Box 88, Mountain Home, ID 83647.