Obituary of Belén Mosquera de Urreiztieta

Belén Mosquera de Urreiztieta 6/24/1921-10/7/2018 Belén Mosquera, descendant of Generals of the War of Independence led by Simón Bolívar, and Presidents of La Gran Colombia, Venezuela and Colombia, was born in Caracas, Venezuela on June 24, 1921. She passed away in Tucson, Arizona on October 7, 2018, leaving this world to meet her Lord and Savior. Preceding her into Heaven were the love of her life, Iñaki Urreiztieta; her beloved parents, Luis Mosquera and Carola Pardo; her sister, Josefina La Costa; her brothers, Luis and Ramón Mosquera; her precious grandson, Lezo Urreiztieta; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, both in the Americas and in the Old World. She married Iñaki in Caracas in 1944, and they welcomed four children into their lives: Irel Urreiztieta, Lirain (Marisol) Urreiztieta, Arizeder (Dianne) Urreiztieta, and Izaro (Melissa) Urreiztieta. She became a widow in 1961 when Iñaki died of a sudden heart attack, and remained so the rest of her life. They traveled much, always with their children, and mostly to Brittany, England, the Basque Country, from and to Venezuela. In 1966, Belén moved her family to Tucson searching for a climate that would help her sons' asthma. She was a resident of Tucson for over 52 years. Belén and all her children became citizens of the USA. She was grateful for the health and education received in Arizona. All of her children and grandchildren to date have attended The University of Arizona. Belén had five grandsons: Lirain Francisco (Melissa), Andrés, Iñaki, Gaizka, and Lezo; and one granddaughter, her namesake, Belén. She was also blessed with two great-grandsons, Unai and Ander. She considered each of them her own. She is survived by all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, except Lezo, whom she joins now in Eternal Glory. She is also survived by her sisters, Carolina Mitchell and Teresa Urrutia; her brothers Eduardo and Miguel Mosquera; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives around the world. Belén's vocation in life was first and foremost to be a good mother, and in this she succeeded well beyond expectations. She cared for others all her life: her younger siblings as an older child; her own children; her grandchildren; her sister Fefa in her battle with cancer; her parents in Caracas in their old age; and anyone who crossed her path and was in need of anything. Her generosity touched many. Mami, Viejita querida, Bita, Abita, we will miss you always, but you have run an excellent race and you are now enjoying the fruits of your labor. Jesus Christ has now received you into His Everlasting Arms, and you will have no more trials and suffering, only joy and peace. We are comforted by this assurance. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle (5150 N. Valley View Rd.), followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Private interment. Should anyone wish to, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic and/or Christian nonprofits that minister to the poor, the sick, or victims of catastrophes, or to the Lezo Urreiztieta Scholarship Fund for track athletes at the UofA. The family wishes to thank all those who have lovingly taken care of our mother over the years: her doctors, her nurses, and her caregivers, particularly those at Solterra, and extending to Brookdale, Campana del Rio, Mountain View, and Casa de la Luz.