Betty J. Barbano

A memorial service for Betty J. Barbano, 64, of Reno, will be held at 2 p.m. today at the First Congregational Church, 627 Sunnyside Drive, Reno, with Rev. Bill Chrystal officiating.

A potluck reception will follow at the church.

Mrs. Barbano died Dec. 28, 2005, at home. She was born Feb. 7, 1941, to Alton and Lessie Luffman in Enid, Okla.

She attended Enid High School and continued her education at Idaho State University. While attending college, she organized programs to promote religious tolerance and understanding.

In Nevada, she developed a career in business as well as political activism, lobbying for utility consumers in 1981.

She was a Realtor, a partner in an advertising agency, and manager of Pauline Sportswear in Carson City. She also worked for the Nevada Appeal.

She was a member of the Communications Workers of America, local 9413.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a daughter, Debra Joyce Donlevy, in 1978.

Among her survivors are her husband of 21 years, Andrew Barbano, of Reno; sons Robert, Kelly and Andrew and his wife Tiffany, all of Phoenix, Ariz., Sheldon Donlevy of Reno; brother Dennis Luffman of Augusta, Kan.; sister Carolyn Powers of Newton, Kan.; cousin Lina Stites of Enid; nine grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her remains will be interred near her daughter at Walton's Chapel of the Valley in Carson City.

Memories may be e-mailed to betty@barbanomedia.com. Photos and biography can be found at Barbano.net

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.