Frances Joyce (Pat) Barber Callister passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah, after a brief illness. She was born in Logan, Utah, on 18 June 1923, the second of five daughters of Seth Langton and Orita Smith Barber. She spent her young years and was educated in Lewiston, Utah. She had a very happy family life with a mother who taught her homemaking skills, and a father who taught principles of thrift, honesty, integrity and performing one’s civic and patriotic duties. The girls were expected to save for their college education, and each graduated from Utah State University - Pat with a degree in journalism.
Pat belonged to Kappa Delta sorority, and served as student body secretary her senior year. During WWII she worked as a secretary at Bushnell Military Hospital in Brigham City, and after the war worked in the Dean’s office at University of Utah Medical School where she met medical student John William (Jack) Callister, and they married on 29 May 1947 (later sealed in the Oakland LDS Temple.)
Upon completion of Jack’s medical training the family relocated to Reno, Nevada, where they raised their four children. Pat was involved in Relief Society, PTA, Nevada Opera Guild, and many other civic and church activities. She was a champion bridge player and enjoyed the game immensely throughout her life. The family cabin at Alpine Meadows, California, was the family’s retreat for holidays, honeymoons and vacations, and was the place where so many wonderful memories were made. With all the children married and Jack retired from his medical practice, the cabin became the couple’s summer residence and sunny St. George their winter home for the next 33 years.
Pat is survived by her husband, Jack; sisters, Ann Louise (Fletcher), and Carolyn (Mathis); daughter Ann Croft (Ken), sons John (Suzanna), Michael (Ronda) and Robert (Michelle); 14 grandchildren, and 37 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Janet (Ferguson) and Elizabeth (Bateman).
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 19th at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr, SLC, UT. A viewing will be held at 10 – 10:45 a.m., prior to the service.
