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Women of Nevada: Part II - Page 2

© Kathleen M. Brune

Perhaps because of her early training, Mary also had a strong interest in education and due to her efforts on local levels, she eventually was elected to the Nevada State Board of Education, working to promote education for all children in Nevada.

Mary was recognized for her efforts over the years as she was Nevada's Mother of the Year in 1950, Nevada's Doctor of the Year in 1961, and was named a Distinguished Nevadan by the University of Nevada in 1964. When she died in 1987, she had a long life to look back upon and be proud of. Besides her medical practice, she had worked hard for education, was a member of local and state medical societies, and raised her children to become productive people in their own right.

Therese Laxalt

Therese Alpetche was born in a Basque province in France in 1981. She lived a strict, but comfortable, life with her family in Bordeaux, France, where her family owned one of the first Europe-to-the-Americas travel agencies, and the Hotel Amerika.

Shortly after graduating from the Cordon Blue in Paris, she came to America. Her brother, Michel, had survived a poison gas attack during WWI, but was now dying from the effects of the gas, and Therese had come to take him back home. He died soon after her arrival, in Reno in 1920, and Therese decided to remain in Nevada.

In 1921, Therese married another Basque immigrant, Dominique Laxalt. Dominque was part owner of a large sheep and cattle ranch corporation, but in 1922, after the livestock crash that year, his company collapsed. Although he was now forced to work as a sheepherder and ranch hand, Therese rolled up her sleeves and worked as a cook for the ranches where husband worked, in order to help support their growing family.

By 1926, they began operating the French Hotel in Carson City, and owned the original Ormsby House. Dominique also eventually rebuilt their ranching operations, but Therese stayed in Carson City, raising their six children and managing their businesses. Together, Therese and Dominque worked hard to establish a firm foundation for their children, and fulfilled Therese's dream of seeing each one through college.

Dominique died in 1971 after a long illness, and Therese followed him in 1978. Their children were prominent members of their respective communities and had become a nun, a school teacher, a respected author, a governor (who also became a US Senator), and two became attorneys.

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