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Barbara Sinatra, prominent Coachella Valley philanthropist, dead at 90

Published July 27, 2017 2:26 AM

People know Barbara Sinatra not just as the wife of famous singer, Frank Sinatra, but a fearless philanthropic leader in the Coachella Valley. She passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 90.

Read: Coachella Valley and celebrities react to passing of Barbara Sinatra

According to Lee Rice, spokesperson for Eisenhower Medical Center, Sinatra’s funeral is set for Tuesday, August 1 at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert. The church is located at 43775 Deep Canyon Road. KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 is working to confirm more information about the funeral plans. We’ll post updates here as soon as we know more.

Read: Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center partners with Children’s Hospital LA to raise $250,000

KESQ News Channel 3 learned of her death Tuesday from close family friends, who say Sinatra had been ill for some time.

Read: Frank and Barbara Sinatra romance bloomed in the Coachella Valley

Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon said, “This is a tremendous loss to our entire Coachella Valley community. However, Mrs. Sinatra will live on in our hearts and through the many wonderful charitable organizations such as the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center that were made possible through her generosity and sponsorship.”

Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart Catholic Church gave Sinatra last rites Monday night.

KESQ News Channel 3’s Bianca Rae is taking a look back at the life of ‘Lady Blue Eyes’.

Read: Barbara Sinatra sheds light on Child Abuse Prevention Month

Barbara Marx Blakely was born March 10, 1927 in Bosworth, Missouri. She became a Las Vegas showgirl in the 1950s — also modeling clothing for famed fashion designer, Mr. Blackwell.

On July 11, 1976, she married Frank Sinatra. His fourth and final marriage, and the longest-lasting one. Frank and Barbara, a power couple who spent much of their time in Palm Springs.

In 1976, they got married at the at the Sunnylands Estate.

“Walter Annenberg was the one that came to me and said, ‘Well I want you to know I’ve decided you’re good for Frank and I think that you should be married’. And I said, Walter, from your mouth to God’s ears, yes, you tell him! And so evidently he did and here we are,” Barbara said.

Read: 49th annual Golf Cart Parade features desert icon Barbara Sinatra

Barbara and Frank founded the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Rancho Mirage in 1986. It provides individual and group therapy for young victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

“And that was very utmost in Frank’s mind, and he’s the one who first coined the phrase, no child would ever be turned away, and we’ve kept that promise, always,” Barbara said.

Read: Residents and celebrities tour Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center

Every year, The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational golf tournament raises money for the center. Celebrities come out for the event that celebrates all things Frank and raises significant money.

In 1988, Sinatra received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. You’d always find Mrs. Sinatra out and about at the Valley’s biggest events — such as the annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, where she served a a Grand Marshall.

“It’s great to be here and it’s wonderful to see all the people and these are all local people from our community.”

Barbara Sinatra has been honored for all her contributions in the desert, receiving the first ‘Community Icon Award’ at the annual Athena Awards. A famous life in the spotlight now dark, but a meaningful one spent shining light on the needs of children.

Barbara Sinatra wrote “Lady Blue Eyes: My Life with Frank”, which was released in 2011.