HUSBAND BORROWED $2,000 FROM HER AVON PRODUCTS BUSINESS TO START ICONIC MATTRESS BRAND

SEARINGTOWN, N.Y., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Kay Barragan, 65, wife of 1800mattress.com founder Napoleon Barragan, was found dead this morning in her home here. Nassau County Police have reportedly opened an investigation into the cause of death. She was discovered by a family employee who arrived for work shortly after 7 a.m. and discovered her lying at the bottom of a flight of steps. The employee called police. Barragan had been suffering from multiple illnesses over the past several years and was alone in the house at the time.

Barragan lived with the couple's son, Eduardo, who has a history of mental incapacity and was being taken to a local medical center for observation.

Barragan played an instrumental role in the start of the company. She lent her husband $2,000 from her earnings from a small Avon products business to start Dial-A-Mattress in 1976, which was then renamed 1800mattress.com in 1996. In the early years, she also worked in the business handling clerical/administrative matters for the company.

"Napoleon had always credited Kay not only for her encouragement, but also for the money she gave him to start the business," said 1800mattress.com Chief Operating Officer of National Sales Joe Vicens, who worked with her as well in those early years. "She was a dedicated and committed member of our founding team."

Kay Barragan was born on December 5, 1943 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She and Napoleon were married more than 40 years. The couple has two surviving children, Eduardo of Searingtown, NY and Kay Otilia Massel of Santa Rosa, CA. and 12 grandchildren. In 2003 their daughter Beatrice died as a result of illness, and in 2006 their son Luis died in a swimming accident.

Funeral arrangements were not available at this time.

Founded in 1976, 1800mattress.com is the leading national multi-channel (internet, chat, call center and showrooms) retailer of mattresses, box springs and bedding products. Its business-to-business sales division supplies schools, hospitals, hotels and other institutions. For more information, please visit www.1800mattress.com.

    Contact:  Stan Steinreich
              Steinreich Communications LLC
              Mobile: (201) 982-2373

SOURCE 1800mattress.com

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