Gracie Delores Begay

Gracie Delores McDade Begay

September 20, 1935 – October 15, 2021

Our beloved mom, Gracie Delores Begay was born on September 20, 1935 in Austin, Nevada to Clarence Ernest McDade and Chrissie Johnson McDade. She passed away at her home in Wells, Nevada surrounded by family after serval long-term health complications, not due to Covid, at the age of 86.

Mom was a member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. She went to grade school and high school in Battle Mountain, NV where she was a BM Longhorn Band member; she played the flute. The family moved to the South Fork reservation (Lee, NV) in her senior year 1952. The McDade family still has a family home out there today. She moved to Elko in 1960 and worked at the Elko General Hospital.

She met and married her husband John in Elko, NV in 1960. They were married for over 50 years. They lived in Wells and Devils Gate while dad worked for the Union Pacific railroad; moved to Winnemucca in 1972 and raised their family there. They moved back to Wells in 1985. Mom was an avid member of her Tribal community engaging in Tribal politics as a Wells Band Council Chairwoman and a Western Shoshone land rights advocate. She was a member of the Native American Church. She worked as a Wells Band CHR (Community Health Representative) for 13 years. Mom was a people person. She loved visiting with everyone, going to the Wells Senior Center, and playing Hubeejo (Shoshone card game).

She also enjoyed traveling, visiting with the grand kids and family, and reading in her later years. She loved to sing; she had a beautiful voice. There are so many wonderful things about Mom that we can go on and on. She will be greatly missed by Family, Friends, and all that knew her. ~ We Love You Mom!

Gracie was preceded in death by her husband, John Lee Begay, Sr., daughter Joleen Begay, two sons Arnold James and Galen Begay; brothers, Edward, Clarence, Ernest, and Marvin McDade and sister, Margery McDade Harney. She is survived by her youngest brother Joseph McDade and Yolanda McDade of Lee, NV; children; Albert McDade of Wells, John Lee Begay Jr. (Terry) of Salt Lake City, UT; daughter's Edith Smartt (Casey Yowell) of Lee, NV; and (Sanford) Kristi Begay Honeyestewa of Elko; stepdaughters ; Mary Alder of Salt Lake City, UT and Tawnee Knighton of Washington, UT; grandchildren - Delvin Tom, Mike Dick, Thomas and Tiffany Begay, Joseph and Hope Moon, Justin Smartt, Galene and Jenna Stevens, Crystella Martinez, Odessa Begay, Adam Alder, Alex McMillan, and Melina McDade; great-grandchildren - Kayla, Lacey, Verdell, Devina, Thomas, Johnson, Emma, Olivia, Andre, Thomas Jr., Benjamin, Kiana, Ariana, Jayden, Alex and Jasmine; great-great grandchildren Kayden, Peyton, Lucas and Alexus.

Funeral services will be held at the Mormon Church in Wells, Nevada on Saturday, October 23 beginning at 10 am for viewing and services. Graveside services at the Wells City Cemetery and Traditional feed will follow at the Mormon Church.

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