Helen Eileen Barreca

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Helen Eileen Barreca, lovingly known as Eileen, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, in Iowa, during their nightly Rosary with her husband and oldest daughter. Born on June 8, 1938, in Scotland, she lived a life marked by faith, devotion, kindness, and grace.

She was a beloved Christian woman whose gentle spirit touched everyone who knew her, and she will be remembered as a loving, faith-filled, and gentle soul.

Eileen came to the United States at the age of 17, bringing with her the courage and hope that would shape the rest of her life.

While working at a bank in New York, she met the love of her life on a blind date, and that meeting began a marriage that would last for 64 beautiful years. Her husband’s military service meant that their family moved often, but wherever they went, Eileen created a home filled with warmth, order, and love. Eventually, they settled in Dothan, Alabama, where they built a lasting life together and raised their family with deep devotion.

Eileen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose family was the center of her world. She is survived by her husband Nicholas of 64 years; 4 daughters: Jeannine (Terry) Timp of Winthrop, Aileen Barreca of Enterprise, Alabama, Helene (Kinch) Gaede of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Colleen Barreca of Dothan, Alabama; 7 grandchildren: Siobhan (Nick) Rivera, Christina (Jergen) Teslow, Connor Gaede, Hunter (Julianna) Gaede, Luke Gaede, Julia Gaede and John Paul Barreca; 2 great-grandchildren: Louis Teslow and Quinton Gaede; Her sister’s daughter: Diane Hill; and many Godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother: Ann Jane (Patrick) Ferguson, mother: Ellen Ferguson, sister: Anna (Joe) Dunn, uncle: Henry Ferguson, aunts: Mary (Willy) Lamb, Cathy (Tom) Cronin, Anne (Patrick) Byrnes, in-laws: Lucille and Vincent Barreca, great-grandchildren: Terijo Timp, Frances Allison Teslow, Teresa Lucille Gaede, Maria Rafael Gaede, John Marie Gaede and Joseph Giosetta Gaede.

Eileen dedicated many years of service to others through her work and her church. She taught second grade and prepared children for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation at several Catholic churches over the years, sharing her faith and patience with generations of young children. When her husband opened Wiregrass Total Eye Care Clinic, Eileen worked alongside him and their daughter for more than 20 years as the office manager. Her steady presence, strong work ethic, and kind manner helped make the clinic a welcoming place for countless patients and families.

Her life in Dothan was also marked by service to her community and steadfast commitment to her beliefs. Eileen volunteered at the Wiregrass Emergency Pregnancy Center and was active in the pro-life movement, always guided by her deep faith and compassion for others. She prayed the Rosary every day, as Mary called us to do for our children. Her spirituality was not just a part of her life, but the foundation of it, and she lived as a woman who was truly holy, faith-filled, and devoted to God.

Eileen also brought beauty and joy into the lives of those around her through her many gifts and interests. She enjoyed vacationing to New York to visit family, and she treasured those visits and the memories they created. She was a master gardener, a gourmet cook, and a gracious hostess who made others feel welcome and cared for. She loved cross stitch, and she approached every task with elegance and quiet excellence. Her home, her table, and her presence reflected the beauty of her spirit.

Those who knew Eileen will remember her as beautiful, kind, and sweet, with a heart that was always open to others. She loved her family deeply and lived each day as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her life was a testament to faith, perseverance, and unconditional love. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the faith she shared, and the many lives she touched with her gentle and loving presence.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11am on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in the St. Columba Catholic Church Chapel in Dothan, Alabama. A viewing will be held prior to the mass from 9:45am to 10:45am at St. Columba in the Church. Eileen will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Following the services, there will be a reception at Sunset Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Burse Club (for our Seminarian’s in the Mobile Archdiocese) to: Vocations Office

400 Government St.

Mobile, Al 36602

To send a sympathy card to Nicolas Barreca, Mail To

#203 505 Enterprise Dr SW

Independence IA 50644