On August 22, 2022, Eileen J. Savage, age 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Reno, Nevada.
Eileen was born on November 1, 1931, in Winnemucca, Nevada at the Martin Hotel to her parents Pete and Julia Yrueta.
She was extremely proud of her Basque heritage and the traits of hard work, family, and friendships that define the Basque people.
She attended Winnemucca Grammar School, Humboldt County High School, and the University of Nevada, Reno.
She had many accomplishments during her school years. She was a cheerleader and song leader in high school, Homecoming Queen and named to the Honor Roll at the University.
She was a member of the Tri Delta sorority and served in that organization for decades in advisory roles.
At the University, she majored in education and later taught Physical Education at Sparks High School. It was also at college that she began her lifelong love of bridge, which she still regularly played with her close friends, many of whom she had grown up with in Winnemucca.
Most importantly during her time at Nevada, she met Leonard J. Savage. They married on August 4, 1957 and celebrated 54 years together. They raised three sons, Len, Pete, and John.
Eileen had an incredible work ethic, which she learned from her parents.
She believed that every job in life was to be done the right way from start to finish.
She started working as a teenager at The Griddle and the Sonoma Café in Winnemucca. She worked at Savage and Son, serving as the Secretary Treasurer of the company.
She took great pride in the success of her husband, and her sons, Len and Pete, who continue to work at Savage and Son.
She was grateful for the employees at Savage and Son who have maintained the legacy of a strong work ethic. Many of these employees have become part of our family.
Anyone who knew Eileen appreciated she had an unmatched competitive attitude. She loved sports and literally watched three baseball games the last weekend of her life.
She loved watching Reno High and UCLA baseball following her sons, Pete and John, in their coaching careers.
She was extremely proud of the College World Series National Championship that John won in 2013. She was great at reading people, situations, and evaluating teams.
She loved the underdogs and the overachieving teams, equally. There is no doubt that she was the most competitive coach in the family.
She knew what a championship team looked like, whether that was a baseball team, the business, or her family.
Eileen was a wonderful mother who taught us many life lessons. Her family was the most important aspect of her life, and she was very proud of her three sons, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
She was also extremely close to her sister, Evelyn Marcuerquiaga. Her nieces, Darla, Juleen, and Debi were like daughters to her.
She is survived by her three children: Len Savage (Amy), Pete Savage (Debbie), and John Savage (Lisa); by her nine grandchildren: Peter Savage (Courtney), Katie Morze (Connor), Mike Savage, L. J. Savage (Kylee), Chad Savage, Julia Fellner (Jack), Jack Savage, Ryan Savage, and Gabby Savage.
She also has four great-grandchildren: Riley and Brady Morze, Jace Savage, and Kinsley Savage. Eileen lived a life where faith, family, and friends were her priorities.
A Celebration of Life is schedule for Friday, September 30 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady of The Snows Catholic Church or the Carmelite Monastery of Reno.
