Marion Caricaburu

Marion Caricaburu, of Denver, Colorado, died from natural causes on Feb. 6. She lived a rich and full 95 years.

Marion was born Oct. 27, 1930, in Glasgow, Montana, to Basque immigrants Peter and Mary Jane Caricaburu. She was one of seven children who worked on their farm along the Milk River raising sheep and sugar beets. After graduating from high school, she moved to Great Falls to stay with her older sister, Genie, who was in nursing school. Soon after, Marion moved to Denver.

In Denver, Marion was hired by Western Airlines, where she had a long and glamorous career as a flight attendant during the early heydays of passenger air service. She often flew internationally and regaled her family with stories of flying the Rat Pack from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and serving such celebrities as Ava Gardner, whose beauty she admired. Western Airlines went through several mergers, eventually becoming Delta Airlines. Marion stayed the course and didn’t retire until 1990, when she was believed to have been the longest-serving flight attendant. Our family was so impressed, we tried to get her on the David Letterman show when she retired. But that wasn’t to be.

Marion never married nor had children. We would joke with her that that’s the reason she lived as long as she did. She was an independent spirit whose sister, Helen, would encourage her daughters to be like your aunt Marion – never get married, travel the world. Marion experienced life through travel, great wine, gourmet food, and wonderful friends. In true Basque form, she lived fully and loved fully to the end.

Marion was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Johnny, Alice, Genevieve, Grace, Leonard and Helen. She is survived by many nieces and nephews who will miss her elegant style and sweet disposition.

Marion will be interred at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, where she will rest next to her parents. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.