Obituary: Estene Dell Baratti

Estene Dell Baratti age 70, passed away in the arms of the angels April 23, 2009 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Estene was born Aug. 31, 1938 in Lawton Okla. to Olivia and Royce Sanders. She was then adopted in 1949 by Thompson Bracken who was a Sergeant in the US Army.

Estene grew up traveling with her parents Olivia and Thompson living in the United States, Germany, and Japan. She married Donald Sheridan Roberts in 1958 and had three children, Michele, Laurie and Don. Living one day at a time, Estene became a substance abuse counselor working in both inpatient and outpatient in Bishop, Calif., Kings Beach Calif., Reno and Fallon, Nevada. She married the love of her life James Baratti in Carson City in 1980.

Estene's greatest gift was the inspiration she gave to others and her joyful spirit. She was always positive and carried a sense of dignity, hope, faith, and courage that she shared with her family, friends and acquaintances. She was blessed with a natural ability to support and encourage others to walk through life's challenges. Estene volunteered at Community Treasures Thrift Shop in Dayton for the last five years.

Estene lived in Dayton and is survived by her husband James Baratti; daughters Michele Watkins (Bill) of Dayton, Laurie Lunkley (Art) of Idaho; son Don Roberts (Louise) of Carson City; grandsons Dustin Watkins of Reno, Anthony Roberts of Carson City; granddaughter Chris Keepler of Arizona; step-mom Evelyn Sanders of Texas, and niece Shelly Villarreal of Texas. She was also blessed to have six stepchildren, Tony Baratti (Kelli), Nick Baratti (Jeannie), Elizabeth Mosier (Charles), Patti Ann Compos (Robbie), Joe Baratti (Jeannie) and Peter Baratti (Nadia Esparza), 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Estene was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson William Garrett Watkins.

Capital City Cremation is taking care of arrangements.

There will be a celebration of life open house 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, at her home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Central Lyon Youth Connections, P.O. Box 1865, Dayton, Nevada 89403 for the youth volunteer scholarship fund.