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Carlotta “Scottie” Bidegain, 88, of Tucson, passed away January 3, peacefully, at home, surrounded by loving friends and family.
Scottie was born November 24, 1926 in Illinois. She and her immediate family moved to the southwest when she was a young girl, and, eventually, settled on a ranch on the San Pedro River near Cacabel. It was there that she met many of her lifelong friends and her future husband, Mike F. Bidegain. After marrying, she and Mike continues to ranch throughout Arizona. Living in various small towns and ranches over the years, leaving her mark on all of them, Scottie and Mike spent most of their child-raising years in Ray, and, then, later, Kearny. Following her passion for ranching, livestock, and the land Scottie was very involved in 4-H, competitive trail riding, ranching and riding. Scottie returned to the Tucson area to run her parent’s ranch in Silverbell and did that for the better part of a decade.
After leaving the ranch in Silverbell, Scottie began her own business in the late 1970’s providing trail rides. This is where she turned many clients into friends and lifelong riding partners. Being well known for saddling, hauling and guiding eight-plus horses and riders, Scottie worked tirelessly, providing the true horseman’s experience to many and teaching them about the desert she so loved. Even into the late 1990’s, she continued to guide horseback rides and then scaled down to being a one horse woman until her physical limitations and surgeries forced her to no longer own a horse. She was, however, always accompanied by her ranching, turned service, dog, Molly. A true companion, loved and respected by all for her service to Scottie, Molly was a comfort and a friend.
Scottie is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Stephen Claflin of NJ; sons, Michael (Sherry) and Philip, daughter Margaret (Dan Riley: loving, supportive companion): 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 at La Mariposa, 1501 N. Houghton Rd., 520-749-1099. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gospel Rescue Mission. Arrangements entrusted to Desert Sunset Funeral Home.
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