Eileen Barrios McAllister

Eileen Barrios McAllister, affectionately known as “Memo” to her grandchildren and “Neen” to her beloved husband, Mike, passed away peacefully at the age of 78. Born in Coral Gables, Florida, Eileen was the cherished daughter of Regina and Francis Barrios. She spent much of her childhood in St. Petersburg, FL nurtured by her Papa and Gram, who helped shape the kind of nurturing and loving grandmother she would later become. The eldest of five siblings, she is lovingly remembered by Anne, Frank (Cathy), John, and Gina.
Eileen attended St. Paul Catholic School, graduating in 1964, and went on to study at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and the Charity Hospital School of Nursing. It was during this time spending days at the beach and the Barrel Drive-In with her lifelong friends Peggy and Gloria that she met the love of her life, Mike. Eileen and Mike went on to build a life marked with highs and lows but always threaded with devotion, humor, and partnership celebrating 57 years of marriage.

Curious, intelligent, and driven, Eileen later returned to college in her 40s and earned a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Florida. Her professional life included meaningful years as a grant writer at Suncoast Hospice where her whole family joined in service and later in operations at Ceridian. Eileen’s life, however, was most deeply defined by her love for her family. She is survived by her husband Mike; daughter Megan (and son-in-law Lee); and son Ryan. Her grandchildren, Lila and Cole, were the greatest joys of her later years. Memo was there for their births and every
milestone since.

Memo adored watching her “Lila girl” dance, cheering her on at countless shows and competitions. She was so proud of Lila and her accomplishments at dance and school. They loved to text and were involved in daily life together. Lila and her Memo bonded over reality dance shows, daily chats about everything and nothing, and a shared love of flowers.

Her grandson “My Coley” held a special place in her heart. She treasured their long talks and loved watching him play the double bass. She admired his thoughtful, gentle spirit and was proud of his sweet nature, creativity and kindness for all. Music and thinking about the world we
live in were powerful connections between them.
Eileen shared a uniquely deep bond with her son Ryan, an unbreakable connection built on unconditional love, devotion, and quiet strength. She was always there for him, through every chapter of life, and she found deep joy and purpose in being his safe place, his champion, and his person. Seeing that he is doing well today brought her peace and pride.

Eileen is also lovingly remembered by her extended family: her siblings’ children—Brennan (wife Marissa and son Gage); Kelly (husband Jeff, and sons J.J. and Ben); Brad (wife Roia, children Miles, Vivienne, and Theo); Devon, Kendall; Stephen (wife Brandi, children Mary Caroline and Charlie), and Brian. Her love of family extended across Louisiana and Florida to all of her aunts, uncles, cousins and their children through the years. Eileen also held special
memories of time spent with her grandson Barron during his early years.
After years in Florida, Eileen realized a long-held dream in 2011, when she and Mike moved to Marietta, Georgia, to live with Megan, Lee, and their children. Those years filled with the everyday joys of grandmotherhood were, in her words, the happiest of her life. Eileen loved chatting with Megan everyday. Lee, Megan’s husband of nearly 25 years, played a special role in providing care, joy, and stability for Eileen and Mike, and they were deeply grateful for the life they shared with him.

Eileen lived fully and generously. She made people feel seen and heard. She had a razor-sharp wit, a gift for getting to the heart of the matter (even if you didn’t always want to hear it—ha!), and a fierce love for those around her. She was loyal to the core, a friend you could count on, and a mother and grandmother whose wisdom and warmth will ripple through generations.
She was a lifelong singer, her voice filling the house, the car, and the hearts of those around her. Singing brought her peace—and joy to others—especially her sister Gina, to whom she sang with such love. She especially adored Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, reflecting her deep faith in God. Her musical tastes spanned across many genres from Judy Collins and Joan Baez to Bob Dylan and The Beatles. She also
loved to write—journaling, storytelling, and collecting poems that moved her—believing that
poetry, like music, had the power to speak what the heart could not always say aloud.
She loved to host parties, decorate her home, cross-stitch, arrange flowers, and devour books—reading daily, escaping into faraway adventures with a cup of iced tea nearby. Eileen loved family dinners filled with trivia quizzes, jokes and laughter. She never missed an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, or Big Brother, loved to cheer on her Gators, loved people-watching, and always rooted for the underdog. She was proud of Mike’s military service in Vietnam, proud of the children she raised and the life she and Mike built together.

Even just shortly before her passing, Eileen turned to Mike and said with calm clarity, “Hey Mike, don’t be sad—be happy. I’m okay.” And with that, she gave us all the gift of peace.
There will be no formal service, in accordance with her wishes. Eileen will be cremated in Marietta and interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton at a later date. To honor her, please consider a donation to Capstone Hospice, or buy yourself a bouquet of flowers—just as she did each week to bring joy into her home.

Eileen gave and received so much love in this world. Her legacy will bloom on in the lives
she touched.