Bertrice Elizabeth Ensor Barrett

Bertrice Elizabeth (Betty) Ensor Barrett was born January 8, 1922 in Taft, CA to Annie Bertrice Erwin and Sydney Charles Ensor. Betty grew up on the Berryhill Oil Field graduating from Maricopa HS in 1939. She later graduated from Bakersfield Business College. This lady met her cowboy and future husband, Levi Arthur Barrett on the Patterson Ranch in Cuyama, CA when Betty was 14 and Levi was 16. Five years later they were married on Aug. 17, 1941 giving them 74 years of marriage this last August.

Betty worked at the Richfield Oil Refinery in Long Beach as a bookkeeper during WWII, being the first woman to work in this male-dominated company. After the War, Betty and Art started their family of three in Taft. In 1955 they moved to Paso Robles which became their permanent home. Betty worked at JCPenneys, the Mobil Oil Bulk plant, and sold Mary Kaye cosmetics over the years. She was also a Past Worthy Matron of the Bethlehem Order of the Eastern Star.

Betty is survived by her husband, Art; her children, Judy Bryan, Janice (Johnny) Maduena, and Buster (Ermie) Barrett; grandchildren: Shannon Bryan Ruggiero, Megan Edwards, Justin Maduena, Ray Barrett, and Serena Schnore; a sister, Peggy (Herman) Lippert of Bakersfield; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Nick Maduena.

Betty's kind and loving sweet spirit will be deeply missed by her family and those who knew her. She was always willing to help in any way. She was a genuinely kind person. We have been blessed to have her for as long as we did. Betty was well loved. Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the loving care she received while she was a resident of Vineyard Hills Health Center and to Thelma for helping her look her best.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 9, 2016 at 11 am at Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home in Paso Robles. Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, Paso Robles, CA.