Catherine BARNETT August 19, 1922 - September 13, 2009 Our beloved mother, Catherine Barnett passed away on September 13, 2009. She was born Catherine Nelson in San Francisco, on August 19, 1922, to Hans Nelson and Isabelle Elsa Brennan. Her family settled in Reno, where she attended school and formed lasting friendships. During WWII, Catherine joined the U. S. Navy, serving in hospitals, caring for the wounded. Returning to Reno, she married Rene Alastuey, with whom she had four children, three still surviving, and helped build the family business. Eventually, she made her way to South Tahoe, living on Elwood Avenue for 40 years and marrying Neville "Barney" Barnett, whom she will now join in final rest. Her work at Barton Memorial Hospital filled her life with purpose. Following retirement, she resided in the Sacramento area until her passing. Catherine will always be remembered for her extraordinary intelligence and perception. Her artistic talent was expressed in her many paintings and drawings treasured by her friends and family. She always had a soft heart for those in difficulty. In recent years, she was comforted by the strength and kindness of her dear sister Gertrude Isabelle Nelson. Catherine was preceded in death by both her husbands and by her daughter Marie Alastuey; and is survived by sister Gertrude Nelson of Auburn, son Stephen Alastuey of Reno, daughter Florentine Pfluger and son-in-law Donald Pfluger of Carmichael, son Michael Alastuey and daughter-in-law Vikki Alastuey of Las Vegas, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2009 at McFarlane's Mortuary, 887 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on September 24, 2009