EDITH OTINE BISCAY

Edith O. Biscay passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at the age of 98, with her family by her side. She has been a resident of Madera, CA for 64 years. She was born on October 15, 1919, to Norwegian parents, Hans Peter Hvidsten, and Marie Haugan Hvidsten, in Stephen, MN. She was the eighth of nine children growing up in the far north where there wasn't electricity or phone service. She graduated high school in 1939 and shortly after went to work in Washington D.C. as a clerk typist in the War Department during the years of World War II. It was an exciting and busy time where she once found herself sharing an elevator ride with Eleanor Roosevelt. There was a shortage of nurses during those years so Edith enrolled in a nurses work and training program and achieved her registered nurse degree from Deaconess Hospital in Fargo, ND. She worked in private hospitals and later at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco, CA. She and several other nurses transferred from there to open up the new Fresno VA Hospital. While in Fresno, she met and later married Leon J. Biscay in 1954, and moved to Madera where he was involved in the family farming business. Together they raised three children, Anne, Leon Jr., and Peter. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. They were married for 51 years at the time of Leon's passing in 2005. Edith thoroughly enjoyed her nursing career but decided to retire from shift work and stay home to raise her children. Her RN degree was very important to her so she continued her education and maintained her RN certificate well into her 70's. Edith loved her family and enjoyed cooking and baking delicious meals and desserts for them. She also loved to read, be outside gardening and caring for the many stray cats and dogs that would show up. Edith had a strong Christian faith and was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Madera. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon Sr.; grandson, Timothy Biscay; her eight siblings, Annie Vigstol, Clara Peterson, Ben, Harold, Melvin, Raymond, Mae, and Orville Hvidsten; brothers and sisters-in-law, Andrew Vigstol, Peter Peterson, Ellen and Hildur Hvidsten of Minnesota, Juliette and John Copland, and James Bidegain, of Madera, CA. Edith is survived and will be dearly missed by her family, daughter, Anne Sparke and husband Jack Wm.; son, Leon Biscay, Jr. and wife Karen; son, Peter Biscay; grandchildren, Sarah Bandy and husband Anthony, Susan Sparke, Natalie Biscay, Nickolas Biscay and wife Lauren, Brittany Orozco and husband Felipe, and Andrew, Joseph, Leslie, and Philip Biscay; great-granddaughters, Katherine, Sophia, and Holly Bandy, Avani Cheema, Mia, Brenna, and Emily Biscay, Kasandra Biscay, and Anna Orozco; sisters-in-law, Louise Bidegain, and Verna Hvidsten; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She will also be missed by her two little dogs, Princess and Hattie. The family would like to thank Doctors Allan Nassar, and Kanwal Singh for their many years of care for our mom; and to her wonderful caregivers, Mary, Nancy, Evelin, Grace, and Chelsea, who made it possible for Mom to remain in her home during her illness, because of their exceptional dedication, tender loving care and friendship. Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Ave., Madera, CA, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A private Funeral Service will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1125 North Lake Street, Madera, CA 93638; or to Friends of Madera Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 923, Madera, CA 93639. Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, California (559)674-8814