Barbara Masterson, 91

Barbara Masterson, born Mercedes Barbara Shaw, on Dec. 27, 1920, passed away on May 4, 2012, in Reno, Nev., with her family by her side.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 12, at Ross, Burke and Knobel, 2155 Kietzke Lane Reno, Nev.

Barbara was born and raised in San Francisco, Calif., where she grew up in a large family of 11 brothers and sisters and blossomed into a beautiful young woman pursuing her passion of music and becoming a professional singer.

While entertaining with her group, the Madhatters, in the San Francisco Bay area, she met the love of her life, Fred Masterson, a World War II pilot.

They fell in love and married in 1951 and Barbara found herself traveling the world as a military wife, creating a loving and nurturing home for her family wherever they were stationed.

Barbara loved to travel, loved Giants baseball and was an avid and competitive bowler for over six decades.

Her greatest joy, however, came from being able to cook for, take care of, share her love of music, especially her talent for singing, and her wonderful unforgettable sense of humor with her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There was no shortage of laughter or hijinx in her household; however, through her guidance and the way she lived her life, her family understood the importance of treating others the way you would like to be treated.

She has been the hub and the rock of the family, constant and always there, and while she will be truly missed, she will always be remembered by how much love, joy, humor and caring she shared with all of her family.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 60 years, Fred V. Masterson; her daughter Lynne Kearney; son-in-law Drew Kearney of Santa Cruz, Calif.; her daughter, Cheryl Huett; son-in law Forrest Huett of Reno; her son-in-law Kent Marman of Mission Viejo, Calif; her daughter-in-law Theresa Masterson of Nampa, Idaho; her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved son, William C. Masterson of Nampa, Idaho and her beloved daugher, Elayne Marman, Mission Viejo, Calif.

"My wife, my love, my companion for over sixty years has passed away" Fred V. Masterson.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Barbara's honor to www.theaftd.org or UCLA Jill Shapira RN PHD Neurology Services 300 Medical Plaza Suite B 200, Los Angeles, Calif. 90095. Checks can be made payable to UC Regents.