Mrs. Frances Echevarria – Fourth Grade Teacher

(1915-2009)

Owyhee Avalanche - September 9, 2009

Frances Echevarria

Frances Echevarria of Homedale, Idaho passed peacefully from this life on August 31, 2009, in the loving presence of her family. She was 94.

Frances’ wonderful story began when she was born March 8, 1915 in Fargo, Idaho to Charles and Christina Burdick. Her early years were spent working on the family farm while attending and graduating from Wilder High School.

Her love for people, especially children, led Frances to a career in education that spanned over 40 years. Her first teaching experience began at the Last Chance School between Homedale and Marsing. She continued teaching in Ruby Valley and Paradise Valley, Nevada as well as The Central Cove School. The remainder of her career was spent with the Homedale School District where she taught first and second grade for eighteen years. Frances shared her extraordinary gifts with hundreds of children that now make up the very essence and fabric of her beloved community.

While in Paradise Valley, Frances met and later married Alhandro Echevarria. They had two children: Nancy, who continues her mother’s teaching legacy in Marsing, and Alan, an actor living in Los Angeles.

After retiring from the classroom Frances continued her commitment and influence on young children, enjoying and caring for her granddaughters and others as well as substituting at school whenever needed.

Frances was a longtime member of the Christian Science Church. That influence gave her the lifelong qualities of love and understanding for which she was known. She also enjoyed belonging to the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, the Homedale Senior Center, and local TOPS club. For many years she was flower superintendent for the Owyhee County Fair. Frances’ home was always a welcoming place, filled with the scent of freshly baked sourdough bread and graced by newly cut roses from her prized garden. She was never more at peace than when surrounded by family, enjoying conversation and the antics of its various members and the extended family they brought with them.

Frannie, as she was called by many, is survived by her daughter Nancy Belknap, and son, Alan Echevarria, son-in-law Steve Belknap, daughter-in-law Dyan Sublett, grandchildren Frances E. Echevarria, Antonia M. Belknap Brinegar and her husband David, great-grandchildren Antahn, Imani, and Dante Brinegar as well as many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alhandro and her brother C. Robert Burdick. The family sends special thanks to Joyce, Bonnie, May, and all the friends who visited her home and looked after her well-being.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to: Homedale Public Library, PO Box 1087, Homedale ID. 83628 or College of Idaho, 2112 E. Cleveland Blvd. (Box 49) Caldwell, ID. 83606.

A celebration of Frances’ life will take place Saturday, October 10th 2009 at the Homedale Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Services are under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale. Condolences may be given at Flahifffuneralchapel.com