Barbara Fasano

Barbara E. Fasano, 88, formerly of New York, passed away peacefully on July 3rd, 2026. She was born on August 6, 1937 on Long Island, New York to Morris and Edythe Cipin.

Barbara was a queen of the people, a sharp shooter in mind and skeet, a passionate creator of scrapbooks, and the baker of the best brownies in the world.

Barbara did life on her own terms since she was a young girl on Long Island ordering tuna fish sandwiches and vanilla ice cream at the pharmacy. Whether in class or playing field hockey with her teammates, her charm was infectious. Though she swore the number of times she got in trouble was few, according to her childhood best friend Prissy, her crushes on boys were aplenty. Her adventures brought her from Alaska to the Far Rockaways to downstate New York.

Through her first marriage she birthed her wild sons Michael and Kenny. Barbara's doors were always open to friends, family, and neighborhood kids, mostly because of her open heart, but partly because the boys blew holes through the walls and the door off its hinges. Her jobs ranged from stenographer to secretary to nail salon owner, but her favorite job was Mom.

Barbara found the love of her life at a wedding that was not hers. When her boyfriend couldn't attend, she met her second husband Frank Fasano Sr. (deceased October 16, 2020), who quite literally swept her off her feet on the dance floor. Barbara and Frank would spend 31 years together dancing at New Year's Eve parties. and in their kitchen. Frank had two children of his own: Frank Jr. and Elisa. Along with their mutual love of laughter and golf, they blended their two families over filet mignon and vicious games of Uno.

Years later, Barbara would meet her grandchildren whom she loved deeply. Grandma Barbara would keep a secret stash of toys for Michael's girls and Kenny's boys during their visits to Florida. She famously played cops and robbers with Lindsay, Kate, Luke and Matt until their parents would drag them out of Grandma and Grandpa's house. She let them swim in the pool, bang on the piano, and play Minesweeper on the computer in the office when the adults started to have boring conversations. Every grandchild knew from far too young an age that when she shuffled in a game of gin, she'd always say "cut your throat" to cut the deck before dealing. After she beat you at every game, Barbara would send you home with a tin of brownies dusted with the perfect amount of powdered sugar on top.

Barbara and Frank avidly traveled the entire world. She loved safaris and was so proud of the photographs she took of the Big 5. She loved golf, cards, and Mahjongg. She was bold, always dressed in purples, reds, and boisterous patterns. She was always the first person to tell you, "You look good." Barbara's passing the day before July 4th was the most quintessential way she could have gone out: with a song, a dance, and fireworks.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved parents Morris and Edythe, her second husband Frank Fasano and her sister Sandra. Barbara is survived by her loving sons Michael (Diane) Yeager and Kenneth (Rosanne) Yeager; step-children Frank Joseph Jr. (Grace) and Elisa Ann (Joseph) Mattera; her beloved grandchildren Lindsay Yeager (Scott) , Kate Yeager (Marielle), Luke Yeager and Matt Yeager; her step-grandchildren Frank Joseph III (Yen), Elisa Louise (Jason), Grace Antoinette (Oscar), Anthony William, Nicole Francesca (Mark), and Alexa Rose; her great-grandchildren Chase, Kaleigh, Maria, Francesca, Frank Joseph IV, Nathan, Savannah, and Oscar; and her dearest friend Sarah Chapman, who is like family to us all. She is survived by the light, love and happiness she instilled in every one of these people.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at Ballard-Durrand Funeral Home at 21 West Stevens Ave, Hawthorne, NY, 10532 on July 12th, 2026 from 12-2pm. The family invites all who knew and loved Barbara to attend and share their memories and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in her honor.

Barbara will be laid to rest beside her loving husband Frank in Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would please donate to the World Wildlife Fund in Barbara's name, a charity and organization very near and dear to her heart.