Barbara "Bobbie" Ward Pieroni

Bobbie was born on March 18, 1935, to Emily Trissel and James Braley. Her childhood was spent traveling the county with her entrepreneurial parents. She settled in Fresno, California attending Fresno High. It was there she met the love of her life Jack Pieroni, they were married for 56 years before his passing in 2011.

Bobbie’s pride and joy was her family. Her son Taus Pieroni was born in 1961. She was an amazing homemaker in the truest sense of the word. Bobbie kept the house neat as a pin and it was warm and welcoming. Her love of books and antiques filled the home. She worked alongside her husband to create the much-loved store, Jack Pieroni Ski and Sports, where she also worked as a tennis racket stringer - the best in town.

Bobbie was a master carpenter and craftsman. She constructed an entire child sized Western town in the backyard when Taus was young. She built her own boulders, decks and pergolas and an amazing “summer home” structure that added to the whimsy of her yard. Her home was filled with details that Bobbie created by hand, from the wood walls, bookcases and shelving, to house her over 1,000 books. Her home was a magical display of unique antiques - including a vintage gas pump, pin ball machine, barber’s chair and a life size man on a flying trapeze.

Bobbie’s most masterful creations were her “boxes”, the miniature western town she created, self-titled “A Western Town of the Late 1800’s”. Each of the 37 buildings represents a room or shop found in a western town - from the blacksmiths shop to the saloon, restaurants and a sports store. She became a nationally known miniaturist; her rooms and their contents are ½” to 1” scale and were solely handcrafted by Bobbie. Each fine detail loving crafted in her home workshop. She was featured in Marian Maeve O’Brien’s book Make and Furnish Your Own Miniature Rooms.

For those who knew her, it was her amazing sense of humor, love of family and generous spirit we will miss the most. Her love for her son Taus was immense, and he was able to give her the gift of caring for her at home during her final years. He was by her side when she passed.

She was preceded death by her husband Jack, her mother Emily, father James and sister Dixie.

She is survived by her son Taus, sister Cindy and nieces Lisa, Hilary and Amanda along with her extended families and friends.

She will be missed beyond measure.

I love you Mom, Taus

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.