Vestana Jean Mascarenaz

Jean Mascareñaz of Arapahoe, Wyoming passed away at her home on December 11, 2020, surrounded by many loved ones.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie, Wyoming

Vestana Jean Lahoe was born in Fort Washakie, Wyoming on April 7, 1929. She was the daughter of Joe and Gladys Lahoe, a large portion of her early childhood years were spent on the Wind River Indian Reservation, where she met the love of her life, Gilbert Mascareñaz. The young couple wouldn't say "I Do" until April of 1947. Jean and Gilbert had five children; Gilbert, Jodie, Vestana, Cilia and the baby of the family, Coyia.

Together they began their life and marriage in Riverton, Wyoming, but later moved to Oakland, California and also Mora, New Mexico. While living in Oakland, they owned and operated a bar. At the same time they sold Christmas trees that they harvested and transported each year from Moro. The family lived in Mora for a short period and in 1971 moved back to Riverton. Jean and Gilbert worked at St. Michael's Mission in Ethete, Wyoming until 1978. At that time, they opened what was once known as The Dog Patch, later to be called El Durango. The couple owned the restaurant until 2005 before selling it to family.

Jean loved to crochet, do beadwork, make porcelain dolls and cook for family and friends. She never turned down a good card game, especially when there was a chance to beat Gil. She loved to lister to Gilbert sing although she was his biggest critic. Jean had many titles and was known to many as; Wife, Mom, Nana, Grandma, Auntie and who could forget the "Snow Cone Lady" or her grandson's favorite "Mean Jean."

Jean Mascareñaz of Arapahoe, Wyoming passed away at her home on December 11, 2020, surrounded by many loved ones. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie, Wyoming

Vestana Jean Lahoe was born in Fort Washakie, Wyoming on April 7, 1929. She was the daughter of Joe and Gladys Lahoe, a large portion of her early childhood years were spent on the Wind River Indian Reservation, where she met the love of her life, Gilbert Mascareñaz. The young couple wouldn't say "I Do" until April of 1947. Jean and Gilbert had five children; Gilbert, Jodie, Vestana, Cilia and the baby of the family, Coyia.

Together they began their life and marriage in Riverton, Wyoming, but later moved to Oakland, California and also Mora, New Mexico. While living in Oakland, they owned and operated a bar. At the same time they sold Christmas trees that they harvested and transported each year from Moro. The family lived in Mora for a short period and in 1971 moved back to Riverton. Jean and Gilbert worked at St. Michael's Mission in Ethete, Wyoming until 1978. At that time, they opened what was once known as The Dog Patch, later to be called El Durango. The couple owned the restaurant until 2005 before selling it to family.

Jean loved to crochet, do beadwork, make porcelain dolls and cook for family and friends. She never turned down a good card game, especially when there was a chance to beat Gil. She loved to lister to Gilbert sing although she was his biggest critic. Jean had many titles and was known to many as; Wife, Mom, Nana, Grandma, Auntie and who could forget the "Snow Cone Lady" or her grandson's favorite "Mean Jean."

Jean was cared for and loved by so many, 128 to be exact between children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even a few great-great grandchildren.

She is survived by Gilbert (Angie) Mascareñaz of Arapahoe, Jodie and Turk of California, the Villegas (Manzanares) family of Oakland, California, Cilia Pereda of Arapahoe, and Coyia (Kim) Hatch of Casper. Along with her half-sister Marion Cohen also from Arapahoe. She leaves behind 125 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gilbert, daughter Vestana Manzanares, granddaughters Araceli "Audi" and Maddyson. Her brothers Bud and Walter and sisters Leona Lahoe, Vivian Warren,
Valva Baldes, also half-sister Frances Christopher.

Jean was cared for and loved by so many, 128 to be exact between children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even a few great-great grandchildren.

She is survived by Gilbert (Angie) Mascareñaz of Arapahoe, Jodie and Turk of California, the Villegas (Manzanares) family of Oakland, California, Cilia Pereda of Arapahoe, and Coyia (Kim) Hatch of Casper. Along with her half-sister Marion Cohen also from Arapahoe. She leaves behind 125 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gilbert, daughter Vestana Manzanares, granddaughters Araceli "Audi" and Maddyson. Her brothers Bud and Walter and sisters Leona Lahoe, Vivian Warren,

Valva Baldes, also half-sister Frances Christopher.