Barbara Marie Curtis passed away April 7, 2009, in Gardnerville at age 81. Barbara was born April 18, 1927, in Reno to Freda and Viggo Pedersen and grew up in Reno and San Francisco. She married William Byran in 1946 who died just a few years later in a Reno structure fire. In the early 1950's she relocated herself and her young daughter, Kathleen, to San Francisco where she met her future husband, Stuart Curtis. In 1955, the family returned to the Reno area, eventually moving to Carson City in 1966.
Barbara enjoyed gardening, crafts and traveling. Her most memorable trip was in 1994 when she traveled to her father's birthplace, Ringkobing, Denmark. She volunteered her time for many charitable organizations in Carson City.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 53 years, Stuart.
She is survived by sister, Patricia Lundberg; brother Wayne Pedersen, daughters Kathleen Byran-French and Judy Breza of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Susan Curtis of Las Vegas and Connie Allen of Mukilteo, Wash.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Ormsby Association for Retarded Citizens, 1802 N. Carson Street, Suite 262, Carson City, NV 89703 or the Carson City Meals-On-Wheels Program 911 Beverly Drive, Carson City, Nevada 89706. A memorial to celebrate her life will be scheduled for a future date.