Mary Anna Gambee

Mary A.J. "Nonie" Sayko Gambee 1926 ~ 2012 Mary A.J. "Nonie" Sayko Gambee of Garden Valley died Sunday, August 26, 2012 at her home. She was born April 27, 1926 to Charles and Salle Fern Devlin in El Paso, Texas. A sister, Frances "Susie" was born four years later. Growing up in West Texas, Nonie developed a lifelong love of horses. She often owned and rode them, especially while living in Atlanta, Idaho in the 1950s and 60s. The family moved to Santa Monica, California in the 1940s. During the war, she worked in an aircraft factory. She met Gene Sayko in Atlanta while on vacation with her mother and sister. They were married in 1949 in Santa Monica where Gene attended Aircraft and Engine School. They moved to Gene's hometown of Atlanta in 1955, where they ran the Hub Bar and Café. Nonie and Gene, with the help of Senator Frank Church and others, were instrumental in taking the US Forest Services to court when it was learned that they wanted to evict residents from the area. Through their efforts, the townsite of Atlanta was established. Residents and others had a chance to bid on their homes and other townsite land in public auctions. Nonie and Gene were married for 17 years. After their divorce, she and the three children moved to Boise. She also lived in East Ely and Elko, Nevada before returning to Boise. Nonie married Jack Gambee in 1998. They enjoyed several years together until his sudden death. She moved to Garden Valley to be closer to her daughter Jane Stone. Nonie helped with her daughter's business when she first moved there to Garden Valley. She is very well loved. Nonie enjoyed mushroom hunting, horseback riding, gardening, reading, watching television, spending time with her grandchildren, and studying history of ancient Egypt. She especially enjoyed working on and riding the Fun Bus to Jackpot or Elko and playing blackjack and the slots. Nonie was always there to lend a helping hand. Mrs. Gambee is survived by her son, Jim (Karen) Sayko of Atlanta and Garden City; daughters, Patty (Greg) Auch of Kuna, and Jane (Moe Inama) Stone of Garden Valley; grandchildren, Alisha Auch of Las Vegas, and Austin Auch of Boise; former husband, Gene Sayko of Kuna; brother-in-law, Lee Kelter of Huntington Beach, California; four nephews and three nieces in California and Utah; and great nephews and great nieces in California and Utah. She will be missed by family and friends and also her Schnauzer Nebby and cat Hootie. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, a son Charles Ivan, and her second husband Frank Matney. The family wishes to thank her caretakers at the end, Eva and Cat, and others over the past few years. A rosary will be said at the St. Mark's Catholic Community Church at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 30th. A memorial service will be held at Relyea Funeral Chapel at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012. Those wishing to, may make a donation to their favorite charity.