Notes:

Benedicta "Bene" Aldecoa Wilson 1919 ~ 2016 Benedicta "Bene" Aldecoa Wilson passed away at her home, Friday, January 22, 2016, at the age of 96. Bene was born May 17, 1919, in Boise, to John Domingo and Maria Pagoaga Aldecoa, who immigrated from the Basque Country. She was the fourth of their five children. She had a wonderful childhood with her siblings and cousins in Boise, and summers visiting her father's mountain sheep camps. Bene attended St. Teresa's Academy and there her lifelong love of music began. She was an accomplished pianist and harpist. She studied music at both St. Mary's of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City, and at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she graduated in May 1941. After graduation she woorked for the Red Cross, and later the Army Corps of Engineers in Boise. During World War II, Bene and her sister, Delphine "Del", were FAA air traffic controllers in Great Falls, Montana. After the war, Bene returned to Boise and was a secretarary for Idaho Power. Bene met her husband, Dr. Richard "Dick" Wilson, on a double date with her sister, Del. Bene and Dick were married December 17, 1950 and had two children, Jeanne and John. After her husband passed away in 1966, Bene worked as a secretary for Idaho's Secretary of State, Pete Cenarrusa. After retiring, Bene enjoyed traveling the world, playing golf and bridge, and especially liked spending time with her family and grandchildren at her lakeside cabin in McCall. She was a volunteer for St. Alphonsus Auxiliary and the Morrison Center. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League, the Boise Junior League, and Hillcrest Country Club. She also played the harp for the Boise Philharmonic during their early years. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Maurina Bowles (Andrew), brothers, Basil (Dorothy) and Manuel Aldecoa. She is survived by her sister, Delphine Aldecoa; daughter, Jeanne Wilson; son, John Wilson (Dolores); grandchildren, John Pidgeon, Marisa Berndt (Michael), and Richard and Tony Wilson; and great granddaughter, Amaya Berndt. A Rosary in Bene's honor will be held at 7:00 pm, Friday, January 29, 2016 at Summers Funeral Home, Boise Chapel, 1205 W Bannock St, Boise. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 811 S Latah St, Boise. A reception will follow at Hillcrest Country Club, from 2 till 5 pm. Our family's special thanks go to her caregivers, James Maloy, and especially to Sharon Beets, who took care of Bene until she passed. Also, thanks to Bene's doctor, Mary Barinaga, for her care and compassion, and St. Alphonsus Hospital and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Children's Home Society of Idaho, 740 Warm Springs Ave., Boise, 83702; Home Together (benefitting adults with autism), 4312 Edgemont, Boise, 83706; the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 Dorman St., Boise, 83705; or your favorite charity. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Bene's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.
Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID) - Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Benedicta married Richard H. Wilson on 17 Dec 1950. Richard was born on 23 Jun 1917 in Moscow, Idaho; died on 20 Apr 1969. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: D. Totorica. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]