Harriet Bengochea

1932 - 2017

Harriet Bengochea

July 4, 1932

Oct. 14, 2017

How do you sum up the life and love and vibrancy of a woman? Anyone who has lost a mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, wife knows how hard a task it is. Facts alone cannot express the impact such a woman had on her family, friends and community nor the void that is left by her passing.

Harriet was one of five children born to Velma and James Parke of Fallon. She spent most of her life in Reno where she graduated from Reno High School and UNR. While in college she met Harry Bengochea who was truly the love of her life. There was nothing more important to her than family and her love for them was evident in everything she did. She was an excellent cook, hostess, gardener, photographer, seamstress, homemaker. She served on the Parks & Recreation Commission, was a member of The Assistance League, Pi Beta Phi, Daughters of the Nile and was a "mother to the neighborhood". She shared Harry's love of card games and classic cars by playing bridge and accompanying him on many excursions with their 1950 Mercury cars. She imbued in her children a love of music, a sense of fairness, compassion, encouragement and nonjudgmental opinions. Harriet loved spending time with friends and family and was a happy person with a generous spirit, ready smile and could never say a quick good-bye.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jimmy and Jack, sister Laura Mae and partner of 54 years, Harry. Her brother Don passed on October 15, 2017. She is survived by daughters Linda Drakulich (Victor), Patti Johnson (Gary), Mary Ann Lazzari (John), son Mitch Bengochea (Moira), grandchildren JW Lazzari (Cassandra), Jessica Foust (Michael), Zach Lazzari, Alyse D'Ambrosia (Steven), Andrea Barton (Tyson), Liz Baldwin (Elly), Dionne Drakulich (Paul Baumgartner), Pete Lazzari, Mitch Johnson, great grandchildren Audrey & Adaline Lazzari, Eva Barton and extended family.

The family is extremely grateful to (niece) Debbie LaChew - we could not have managed the last few years without your generosity, love and support. We also thank her loving caregivers.

A service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 at 1pm at Walton's Sierra Chapel: 875 W 2nd Street, followed by a remembrance gathering at The Wild River Grill from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Reno Philharmonic. The family invites you to leave a condolence message on the book of memories at: www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com.