Gracieuse Idiart

Gracieuse Idiart was born on November 24, 1932 in Helette, France, a small village in the Basque Country in a house called Peilloborda. It is the last house on the border between Helette and Irrisarry. Her parents were Cayet Franchisteguy and Marie Sarriquet. The family originated in Suscun. Gracieuse had four siblings; Marie-Jeanne, Sarles, and Mayie were older, and Batita younger. The Franchisteguy family were farmers who struggled through difficult times in the 1930s and 40s.

Gracieuse was raised in a very devout Catholic household and was educated by nuns until the age of 13, when she finished school. As a young woman, she worked on the family farm. She loved to listen to music and dance, but was only allowed to do so on Sundays, according to the strict rules set by her father. In her later years, she told humorous stories of her and her sister sneaking in through the windows in the upper story of Peilloborda because they had missed their 8 o’clock curfew for Sunday night, and the front was locked.

When she was 25 years old Gracieuse married Jean Idiart, also of Helette. Jean (who was also called Manas) had earlier worked as a shepherd in the United States. In 1957, Gracieuse and Jean immigrated together to the United States, where their two children, Jean and Yvette were born. They lived in Azusa briefly and then moved to Riverside where Jean managed a small dairy in the orange groves near the La Sierra area. In 1964, the Idiart family returned to France hoping to stay, but they decided to return to the U.S. less than a year later. After a short stay in Chino, they moved to San Jacinto, California in 1965. There they purchased a home on 5 acres of land. Jean worked as a milker at a local dairy, and with Gracieuse at his side also operated a dairy replacement calf ranch on their land. Gracieuse was a hard worker, feeding and taking care of livestock in addition to raising their family.

In time Jean and Gracieuse welcomed 5 grandchildren who they adored: David, Nicole, Victor, Paul, and Genevieve. In turn, the grandchildren adored their “Aitachi” and “Amachi” and cherish many fond memories of their childhood adventures on the farm. Gracieuse’s grandchildren will remember their amachi as a strong, smart, opinionated woman, who was full of humor and life. She delighted in watching the grandchildren playing on the farm.

In 2001 tragedy struck when Jean passed away unexpectedly. Gracieuse continued to take care of the farm, host all the family holidays, and spend time with her grandchildren who frequently stayed with their amachi over weekends and holidays. She lived in the same farmhouse in San Jacinto for the last 59 years of her life. She continued to maintain her independence, living on her own on the farm. Gracieuse took great comfort in maintaining contact on the phone with her sisters Marie-Jeanne Tristant here in the U.S., and Mayie Franchisteguy in France, in addition to various friends.

In 2015-16, Gracieuse lost both of her sisters within only a few months and suffered a fall herself. Throughout her trials, she maintained her great faith in God and devotion to the Church. During her recovery, and the years of COVID that followed, Gracieuse took comfort in watching mass daily, online and on television, and praying constantly. She continued to speak frequently over the phone with her various friends and her brother Batita, who still resides in Peilloborda. She loved music, and her garden; she loved to watch gameshows, to read the newspaper, and to complete puzzles.

Gracieuse was proud to be living independently at age 91, with Jean and Yvette visiting her almost every day. Her family visited frequently and all Idiart family holidays were celebrated in her home up to the very end. She is survived by her children, Jean Idiart (and his wife Marla) and Yvette Vasquez (and her husband Victor); her grandchildren Nicole Idiart, Victor Vasquez, Paul Vasquez, and Genevieve Vasquez, as well as her brother Batita. She is preceded in death by her husband Jean and her grandson David Idiart. She was a beloved ama and amachi, and a devout Catholic. We will miss her dearly, but we will always remember her humor, her strong spirit and her great love.