Maria Barrows-Crist — 1952-2017

Maria Barrows-Crist

The 33-year owner of Kindertown day care, Maria Rose Barrows-Crist, died unexpectedly in her sleep Jan. 22, 2017. She was 64.

She was born Jan. 18, 1952.

She had retired last year from Bank of the West, where she worked on and off for more than 30 years. In that brief period she had been spending time with her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Maria spent four years in the Army. She was at many of the Memorial Day and Veterans Day services in South Lake Tahoe.

She moved here in the mid-1970s, got married and started a family.

About 7,000 children passed through the doors of Kindertown between the time Judy Kurtzman opened it in July 1, 1973, and Barrows-Crist closed it in late 2011. She was the third owner.

Maria is survived by her children Cory (Chelsea) Crist, Adrienne (John) McSwain, Thomas Crist and fiancé Lauren Curry; grandchildren Ian, Emma, Ellie; mother Filomena Maria Morlando Barrows; siblings Matt (Nan) Barrows, Michele (John) Moelder, Annette Barrows, Steve and fiancé Michelle Tasber, Angela Sorrentino (Myra Sparks), Nina (Ray) Sylvester; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Sherry Perasso and family.

A celebration of life will be on Feb. 11 at 11am at Sierra Community Church in South Lake Tahoe. There will be a nursery for children 3 and younger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crist Family Memorial Fund at Bank of the West, 2161 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.