Barbara "Berdie" Jean Stranieri

On February 19, 2023, our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister passed away due to a brief illness. She had just returned home to Anaconda and was so excited to be back after living briefly at a Helena assisted living facility. She was moving into New Horizons care facility the day she became very ill.

Berdie was born in Anaconda on December 5, 1943, to George and Frances Leblanc. She joined her sister Rosemary and would later welcome an additional sister, Linda. Berdie’s parents divorced when she was very young, and the children had a difficult time. However, Nana Fran was an extremely hard worker and did her best to provide a stable, loving home for her children.

Berdie attended Anaconda High School and graduated in 1962. She would eventually complete beautician school and open her own shop behind her family’s home. She operated Berdie’s Beauty Shop for nearly 30 years. Gina and Nick remember the cigarette smoke filled shop, patrons laughing and gossiping while receiving a professional style “hairdo.”

On July 18, 1964, Berdie married Joe Stranieri and their union produced two children: Gina and Nick. Joe and Berdie later divorced but would remain friends throughout their lives.  Berdie’s favorite time of year was Christmas due to the spiritual message of the holiday and her love for decorating. She had an incredible artistic eye for decorating her house with the Christmas spirit.

Her gifts were beautiful, and an enormous amount of time was put into making them look perfect and classy. Gina and Nick were not overly amused by the weeklong gift-wrapping marathon sessions. Nick still feels a hot glue gun was overkill, but Berdie insisted it was the only way to make a present look appropriate. Ever the perfectionist she also had themed trees each year and decorations to match. Once, the Anaconda Leader voted her home as one of the best decorated that Christmas.

Berdie loved to oil paint and could produce beautiful pictures. She had a love of music and dancing. Gina and Nick were taught how to jitter-bug in the front room to the likes of 50’s music, Elvis, and Sammy Davis Jr. She also taught her kids to ski, spending many weekends at Wraith Hill. She had a passion and love for all animals, especially dogs. There was not a dog in Goosetown she did not try to feed or take care of.  The strays she took in could be a “little on the edge” as she liked to say, however she showered them with love. It was clear to Gina and Nick whose house it was when they returned from college and “little presents” were left by the dogs in front of their bedroom doors. She would defend her dogs, stating the dogs were not happy with our return home.

A large part of her life was her strong Catholic faith and her relationship with God. She prayed to the Holy Spirit and read her Bible often. She was involved with the Anaconda Catholic Church at Holy Family for many years, singing in the choir and lecturing. She often told her children how much she missed being a part of that community and how important it was to her. Her children know their mom is at peace and resting in a great place with her heavenly Father.

Berdie is survived by her daughter, Gina Matosich of Missoula and her son, Nick Stranieri (Denna) of Springfield, Oregon. Her grandchildren; Jillian and Sam Matosich of Missoula and Sofia and Santino Stranieri of Oregon. Her sisters and brother in-laws, Rosemary and Jim Johnston and Linda and Warren Kahm of Anaconda. Special people in her life were Kathy and Dave Hayden, Aunt Helen Boehler, and many nieces and nephews.

Berdie is preceded in death by her parents, uncle, Brenton LeBlanc, aunt and uncle, Kathren and Maurice LeBlanc.

A Funeral Mass for Berdie will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania St., Anaconda, MT, beginning at 10:30 a.m. A funeral luncheon will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass in the Hunthausen Center of Holy Family Catholic Church. A graveside service for Berdie will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at noon at Mount Olivet Cemetery, W. 5th St., Anaconda, MT.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to: Anaconda Pintler Pets, 80 Silver St. Anaconda 59711 and Anaconda Catholic Community Luncheon Committee, 217 West Pennsylvania St., Anaconda 59711

Please visit the side bar to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Berdi.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home has been privileged to care for Berdi and her family.

Pintler Pets
80 Silver St., P.O. Box 1204, Anaconda MT 59711

Luncheon Committee at Anaconda Catholic Community
217 W. Pennsylvania, Anaconda MT 59711