OBITUARY

Mary Ann Barrett of Newport Beach, a well-known and beloved member of the

Oasis Senior Center, died April 12 at Hoag Hospital. She was 94.

Ms. Barrett originally moved to California with her family from Le Mars,

Iowa, in 1908. Her father purchased land in the San Joaquin Valley.

Shortly after graduating from high school at age 17, she went to work for

a copper mining company in the gold country of Northern California. She

did the bookkeeping, ordered food for the company store and made sure

that all of the sleeping quarters on the site were tidy.

Ms. Barrett eventually married and had two children. However, the couple

later separated. She spent the majority of her adult life working at U.S.

Post Office branch on the campus of UC Berkeley. She also worked in the

accounting department there.

When Ms. Barrett retired, she settled down in Corona del Mar. One of the

most enriching experiences of her life was the opening of the Oasis

Senior Center. Her favorite programs included arts and crafts classes,

choir, garden club and the ukulele group.

Ms. Barrett is survived by her two children.