Jean Anne Begay

Jean Anne Begay was born on February 12, 1934. She began her journey into the spirit world on March 1, 2020. She resided in Santa Ana with her loving husband Lester, daughter Tahna, and grandson Armand.

Grandma Jean was born in Chinle, Arizona. Her parents, Ben and Zonnie John resided in Chinle. Grandma Jean was the fifth oldest of eighteen siblings. She went to primary school in Chinle and secondary school at St. Michael Indian School, a Catholic boarding school. Jean moved to Los Angeles in the 1950’s and worked a wide range of jobs to support herself while taking night classes at Monrovia High School to finish her education. She then worked at the Community Hospital in Santa Ana within the labor and delivery ward. In 1959, Jean met the love of her life, Lester, and the following year they got married. Their marriage has thrived for over 60 years. Together, they raised their four children: Patricia, David, Carol, and Tahna. She was one of the original members of the Southern California Indian Center when it was still known as the Orange County Indian Center. Over a period of five decades, Jean has served in many levels at the Indian Center, including the role of President from 1978-1981. She recently ended her tenure as a member of the Board of Trustees. She helped make fry bread for the Indian Center as one of the fundraising events. From there, she began to organize and run her own food booth, also known as the Jean Begay Food Booth. This is one of the many ways in which she brought her family together. Jean was a very creative and talented seamstress. She loved to decorate her home and celebrate the holidays surrounded by her loved ones. Spending time with her grandchildren was one of her favorite activities. She loved hearing about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to. She was always joking around with them, telling them stories and giving them advice on life. She loved cooking, baking, watching the Food Network channel, and drinking hot tea. She enjoyed playing cards, Yahtzee, and board games with her family. Her favorite sports teams were the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oakland Raiders. She was always there to offer a hug to her grandchildren and share words of encouragement and support. She had a bright personality, a caring heart and a great sense of humor. She was very strong, generous, kind, loving and selfless. She loved her family more than anything. Jean will be deeply missed by many. Her loving memory will continue to shine on through future generations.

Jean is preceded in death by her mother Zonnie John and her father Ben John; her sisters Fanny, Lillian, Elizabeth, Rose, and two infant sisters; her brothers Paul, Sam, Anthony, Albert, one infant brother and an infant great-grandchild.

Jean is survived by her husband Lester Begay; her children Patricia (Ray Gardner), David (Veronica Begay), Carol (Ron Brownotter), and Tahna; her grandchildren Jonathan Begay (Aurimar Jimenez), Ben Gardner (Lisa Buezo), Carissa Brownotter, Armand Begay, Daniel Gardner, Celina Brownotter, Connie Brownotter (Chontay Mitchell), Angelique Begay, and Clayton Brownotter; and her great-grandchild John Henry Gardner.

Pallbearers: David Begay, Ray Gardner, Ron Brownotter, Jose Prieto, Jonathan Begay, Ben Gardner, Armand Begay, and Daniel Gardner.