Eileen Barreca

Helen “Eileen’ Barreca, 88, of Winthrop, Iowa and formerly of Dothan, Alabama, died Friday, July 10, 2026, at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop with Reverend David Beckman officiating.
Visitation: 9:00 to 10:15 A.M. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Park in Dothan, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers the family requests masses to be said in memory of Eileen Barreca.

Helen “Eileen” Ferguson was born in Coatbridge, Scotland on July 8, 1938. At the age of 14 she contracted tuberculosis and was unable to return to school. Eileen’s family moved to New York City, New York, but she had to wait 3 years, to not risk bringing tuberculosis to the United States. Eileen got a job working for a large bank in Manhattan, where she worked her way up to the position of executive secretary for one of the bank's Vice Presidents. She did not enjoy the city life and wanted to return to Scotland, until she met Nicholas E. Barreca on a blind date. Eileen and Nicholas dated for six years during his studies in college and medical school. On June 23, 1962, they were married. To this union four daughters were born.

The young family moved around a bit due to Nicholas’ position in the U.S. Army. He was boarded in Aerospace medicine and was a flight surgeon for 11 years in Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Then Nicholas was stationed at Ft. Sam Houstin, in Texas. He was trained as an ophthalmologist with MD and MPH degree. The family then moved to an acreage in Midland City, Alabama. Nick retired from the Army in 1983 and opened his own eye clinic. Eileen ran the office while Nick saw patients. Her duties were secretary, receptionist, medical scribe, billing clerk, office manager and many others, you name it, she did it. Eileen only had an eighth-grade education, but because she was an avid reader and lifelong learner, she achieved more than others who had more formal education. Eileen and Nick ran their clinic together for over 20 years, working 70 hour weeks.

Eileen was a talented cook and fabulous hostess to all the officers and wives while in the Army. She kept the family home spotless and decorated beautifully and was a Master Gardner. At St. Columba in Dothan, Alabama, Eileen was the second-grade Catechist for many years and valued the honor of preparing the children for their Sacraments. She was also a lector in her later years. The couple was in charge of the Serra Club, which prays for the Seminarians, while also running the Burse program, which raised money for the Seminarians of their Archdiocese.

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.