Barbara Jean Faustine

Barbara was born in Fairfax, CA. on July 4th, 1924 to her parents, Harald H. and Edna F. Paulsen. As a child, the family moved to San Rafael where Barbara lived almost all of her life. Barbara was the youngest of three children. She had one sister, Muriel, and one brother, Harold. Her early years were spent learning to play the banjo and enjoying riding her horse. Barbara rode her horse in many of San Rafael’s parades when she was a teenager. She also accompanied her brother Harold as he played guitar, and she played the banjo.

On November 30th,1946 Barbara married the only true love of her life, Joe Faustine. Together they raised 3 children of their own, Lee, John, and Lisa. By the early 60’s they had the foundation for their family country and western band that was to become The Lone Star Ramblers. With Barbara fronting the band, they played not only all over Marin, but all over northern California. They played at Folsom Prison, San Rafael’s Bicentennial Parade, along with long standing regular performances for clubs, organizations & military installations. The Lone Star Ramblers played for the Marin Rod and Gun Club’s annual Western Barbeque for 26 consecutive years. Barbara was also featured at Cal’s Steakhouse in San Rafael for many years with the Marin Banjo Band. She was well known by all the banjo bands in northern California for her unique style of flat picking a long neck plectrum banjo with the ability to make it sound like a 5 string. She was loved by audiences and fellow performers alike wherever she played the banjo. Joe and Barbara, later, started travelling in their motor home. They would attend the Annual 49er Encampment at Death Valley where she won many banjo contests every year that they went.

A lot of people that played music with The Lone Star Ramblers, and spent time around the Faustine house, owe a lot of their musical abilities to the influence of Barbara. She was always smiling and happy and was nice to all she met.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Joe Faustine, her siblings Harold C. Paulsen and Muriel Fachia, and her parents Harald and Edna Paulsen.

She is survived by her three children, Lee Faustine (Suzette), John Faustine (Mary), and Lisa Frost (Jack). Barbara had three Grandchildren, Daniel Faustine (Jessica), Jennifer Dietz (Jim), and Dana Faustine (Sarah). Barbara also had 4 Great Grandchildren, Madison and Mason Dietz and Olivia and Stella Faustine.

Visitation is on Sunday, June 2nd, 2013, From 3:00 PM until 6:00PM at Keaton’s Mortuary, 1022 E St., San Rafael.

The Funeral service at Keaton’s Mortuary in San Rafael, will be the following day, Monday June 3rd, 2013, at 10:30.