Frank and Barbara Sinatra romance bloomed in the Coachella Valley

Barbara and Frank Sinatra have had matching stars on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars since 1998, but their storybook romance began long before that, in the Coachella Valley.

The famous couple had first started out as neighbors, then became friends and eventually lovers. Barbara, also known as ‘Lady Blue Eyes,’ was beloved throughout the Coachella Valley as a philanthropist and child advocate. She passed away at the age of 90 on Tuesday at her home in Rancho Mirage.

“Barbara married Frank Sinatra here in July of 1976,” said Janice Lyle, the director of the Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage, which was then the privately owned Walter Annenberg estate. “It was a connection which lasted through both of their lives.”

To cement their union forever, Barbara donated her wedding dress and wedding album to the museum. Lyle said the memories will be long lasting and deeply treasured. Much like those for countless others around the Coachella Valley.

“She would come out and sit with us,” longtime friend, Brett Coor, told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner. “We would tell stories and she was just a beautiful person.”

Coor ran the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tournament for 24 years. He is now an advertising executive with CBS Local 2. He said he last saw Barbara about a week and a half before her death.

“She had a big smile on her face. She never complained. She was always happy,” Coor said. “She went peacefully in her sleep with all of her friends and family around.”

If there is one thing those closest to her know for sure, it is that the Sinatras are reunited at last.

“She is up there with Frank,” Coor said. “The party continues.”