Mrs. Frances Arriet

She was the first of four children of her Basque immigrant parents, John Errecart of Mendionde, France, and Josefa Oses of Errazu, Spain. She was proud of her Basque heritage and spoke the language at every opportunity.

She shared happy memories of growing up from the age of three years in the community of Tranquillity, California, attending elementary school, swimming in irrigation canals, music on Tuesday at the bandstand in the park, celebrations at the Portuguese Hall, and summers at Shaver Lake to escape the Valley heat. She graduated from Tranquillity Union High School in 1934.

Frances married Bernard Arriet in November 1937 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tranquillity. They lived and farmed in the Kearney Park area for more than 30 years. Bernard passed away in 1970.

Frances worked for 21 years at San Joaquin Memorial High School as a cafeteria supervisor. She retired at the age of 72 years.

Frances belonged to the Fresno Basque Club from its founding in 1978. She became a honorary member when she reached the age of 80 years.

She was active for more than 55 years in the Fresno and Clovis courts of the Catholic Daughters of America. She served as a regent in the 1970's.

She made many friends as a long-time member of the U.P.P.E.C. Council #9 and other Portuguese fraternal societies.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Arriet; son, Robert Arriet; parents, John and Josefa Errecart; brothers, Mike, John and Tony Errecart.

She is survived by her daughter, Bernice Velazquez and her husband Hector; and sons, Eugene, William and Thomas Arriet; grandchildren, Hector Velazquez and his wife Annemarie, Franchesca Amezola and her husband Gerardo, and Bruno Velazquez and his wife Kyung-Hee; greatgrandchildren, Alejandra and David Amezola, and Sofia Velazquez.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, on Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at St. Peter's Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Catholic Charities or to the donor's favorite charity.