In her adventurous 95 years of life, Grace Elizabeth Bidart also known as Grammie, Mom, GG and Sassy Pants made a huge impact on anyone who met her or was lucky enough to be family. She left this world on January 15 to rejoin the love of her life, Mitchell.
She was welcomed by her parents John and Graciana Bidegary on July 8, 1922 in Hollister, CA. as the middle sibling of three. She had an older sister Catherine and a younger brother Jimmy.
As a child of the great depression, Grace always had a positive outlook on life while enjoying tap dancing, riding her bike and especially the most precious gift of all, friendships.
In her junior year of high school, a magical event took place that would set the stage for the next adventure in her life, meeting her future husband. Through a two-year courtship of love letters and long awaited visits during World War II, Grace and Mitchell Bidart were pronounced husband and wife in the Hollister Catholic church on June 13th, 1943.
Once married they settled down in the six-bedroom family home located at Leonard Creek Ranch, 90 miles away from Winnemucca. Grace and Mitchell shared their first home with her mother in-law, Frances Bidart, her aunt and loads of family members.
Designated as a “helper” in the kitchen, with no experience cooking, Grace quickly learned to be a top notch cook that would be one of many legacies that she leaves behind. Slowly transitioning into the head cook role, Grace shared her talents in the kitchen with family, travelers, guests and anyone who visited the ranch. Her gifts of cooking and joy of gardening allowed her to share wonderful meals, but her passion for making desserts was her specialty. The daily work of feeding 20 or more people in the main kitchen was an easy task.
She and Mitchell added to their family adventure in 1944, with the birth of their son, Mitchell James known to all as Jim and a baby girl, Marie Elizabeth in 1947.
Grace spent her evenings sewing, playing cards, reading and spending time with her children.
As the years progressed, Mitchell and Grace decided to retire from ranch life and moved to Winnemucca to join their son, his family and their daughter. Setting their final roots on Minor Street in 1980, Grace and Mitchell built a beautiful brick home where she continued to make delicious meals and growing a beautiful garden in their retirement.
Grace quickly got involved in the community as an active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, attending Alter Society meetings, bible study groups and volunteering her time at the St. Patty’s Day Fair.
Her interest in the sports world started at 60 with joining the Women’s Golf club. Grace and her golf buddies would take over the city course on “Ladies Day” having a great time strolling about in their golf carts with smiles on their faces. A member of the Basque Club, Grace’s talents in the kitchen were seen through her entrees in the annual Basque Festival where her Sheepherder’s bread often received first prize.
Retirement allowed Mitchell and Grace to travel to many parts of the world and have adventures that always brought them back to their brick home on Minor Street. Their house was the place of many celebrations filled with good food, laughter and memories.
Grace is survived by her son, Jim Bidart (wife Pam) and daughter Marie Bidart; Grandchildren Dr. Chad Bidart (wife Sheryl) and Noel Morton (husband Chris); Great Grandchildren Mitch and Linzie Bidart and Cael and Merril Morton. She is also survived by a significant and loving extended family and close long-time friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Mitch Bidart, her parents John and Graciana Bidegary, sister Catherine Ayerza and her brother Jimmy Bidegary.
Please join the family in a celebration of Grace’s life on Saturday, January 27th at St. Paul’s Catholic Church with a Rosary beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. The celebration of Grace’s life will continue in the Father Zabee Hall following graveside services.
