Alice Barreca

1931 - 2015

Alice Hazlehurst Barreca, 84, of Weston, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2015. She was the beloved wife of Christopher A. Barreca, with whom she shared a wonderful 62 years. Born May 13, 1931, in Hartford, Connecticut, Alice was the daughter of the late Harry Hazlehurst Jr. and the late Alice Peterson Hazlehurst, and sibling to the late Harry Hazlehurst, III. Alice graduated in 1949 from McKinley (Technical) High School in Washington, DC. She then accepted a full tuition scholarship to Boston University's Sargent College of Physical Education. In college, Alice was Editor-in-Chief of the Hub, the Boston University yearbook. While working at the Hub, she met her future husband - the prior year's Editor-in-Chief. Alice also was a member of the Scarlet Key, an activities-based honor society. In recognition of her academic record, dedication, and popularity, Alice became the second woman to garner the university newspaper's coveted "Man of the Year" award in 1953. In June 1953, Alice received her college diploma and a certificate as a physical therapist. Six months earlier, in December 1952, Alice received something just as noteworthy: a proposal for engagement from Christopher Barreca, which she happily accepted. During their first four decades of marriage, the couple lived in places far and wide: Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Weston, Connecticut; Louisville, Kentucky; and Winnetka, Illinois. They eventually settled in Weston, Connecticut, to make their life together. Ever the renaissance woman, Alice devoted herself to the community by participating in local organizations and institutions. In Weston, she was an active member of the Weston Garden Club, Emmanuel Church, the Pitch Pipers, PEO, the Aspetuck Valley Country Club, the Weston Historical Society, and the Benjamin Wildflower Garden. She was a Girl Scout leader and taught Sunday School. She and her husband entertained frequently, including hosting renowned New Year's Day, Kentucky Derby, and other parties for the couple's many friends and Christopher's colleagues at General Electric, the Paul Hastings law firm, and the American Bar Association. Alice remained committed to Boston University, serving on the Alumni Association's Executive Board. At Boston University, a laboratory classroom, a rock-climbing wall, and crew boat now bear her name. Above all, Alice was dedicated to her family, imbuing her children and grandchildren with her passion for the outdoors, music, art, literature, and travel, including annual trips with the extended family to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Alice is survived by her three children: Alice Dixon of Farmington, Connecticut; Jennifer Barreca Culpepper of California, Maryland; and Christopher Barreca of Newhall, California. She also is survived by her five grandchildren: Jennifer Dixon, Brittany Culpepper, C.J. Culpepper, Alicia Barreca, and Manal Barreca; her sister-in-law, Marion Hazlehurst; and a loving extended family. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Alice's memory to the Grand Teton Music Festival, at http://gtmf.org/support/, or by mail to GTMF, Attn: Anna Dobbins, Director of Development, 4015 N Lake Creek Drive #100, Wilson, WY 83014. A celebration of Alice's life will be held for family and friends at a later date.