Barbara Maskarinec

Barbara Ann Maskarinec was born February 11, 1928, in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of John and Mary Lorinc, both so patriotic to their new homeland that Barbara believed her birthday was February 12, same as Abraham Lincoln's, until Social Security informed her it was really February 11.

She enjoyed special church and family events, and memories of her 94 years were one of her greatest treasures. These memories, like that of picking a bouquet of violets for the priest as she walked down the hill to mass every spring morning as a young child, were among her greatest treasures. Violet, or purple, remained her favorite color, and a staple in her well-coordinated and much-complimented wardrobe. She happily recalled winning a talent contest singing a Slovak song with her sister Betty; the honor of crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary on May Day; and riding the train with her father to Bayonne, New Jersey, where she roller skated on the streets. If you knew her, there is a strong chance she had a great and very specific memory of you, too.

After graduating from Pitcairn High School, Barbara worked as a soda jerk at Grimm's Drugstore, then as a secretary at Westinghouse, where a co-worker deemed her a perfect match for her brother. She was right. On their second date, Gabriel sealed the deal with a white cattleya orchid corsage; it was Easter Sunday.

They were married in 1949, and lived in Chalfant Borough, where their four children were born.

Gabriel's job at NRTS brought them west in 1966, and they packed the kids and some aquarium fish into the station wagon and moved to Idaho Falls. Hospitality grew from extended family to a wide circle of friends; she never went anywhere where there wasn't somebody who knew her.

Barbara's love of wildflowers found a place to bloom at her "Russkii Dome" (second home) in Rigby. It was a great place for the Pray for Peace group to meet, and for grandkids to play. Barbara's dedication to world peace and justice was a life-long interest - and one of many! Besides growing flowers; raising her family of children and eventually grand and great-grandchildren; and providing gracious hospitality, Barbara loved being active and working, earning a salary into her 80's, and volunteering in church, schools, and community. She proudly walked the runway in Westinghouse Wives' fashion shows; tended the solarium at Teton Medical Specialty Center for many years; and served as a docent at the Museum of Idaho, where her collection of beautiful nativity scenes from around the world was on regular display at Christmastime.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Gabriel. She is survived by son Gregory (Gertraud Sommer) of Honolulu, HI; daughter Karen Maskarinec (Richard Crabtree) of Chugiak, AK; son Gary (Bernadette Jilka) of Tucson, AZ; son Gerald of Idaho Falls; 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, at Holy Rosary Church, followed by interment at Ammon Cemetery, and a luncheon at Christ the King Hall. A Rosary (5 p.m.) and visitation (6 p.m.) will be held at Buck Murphy Funeral Home on Thursday, May 5. All are welcome.

Barbara was greatly loved and is deeply missed by all who knew her.