Eileen M. Barrett

Eileen Barrett, of Poughquag NY, passed away early Friday morning November 29th. She was born in the Bronx on October 10th, 1950. Born to Eleanor and James Kane; Eileen grew up the oldest of four, with 3 dear younger siblings Bernadette, Kathleen & James (Jim).
Eileen grew up on Parkview Avenue in the Bronx and spent her summers & weekends in the Lake Baldwin neighborhood of Mahopac, NY. She graduated from Assisium Business School for Women.
Eileen began her professional career traveling into Manhattan doing secretarial work at companies such as Price Waterhouse, Coca-Cola and with the NY Archdiocese.
In her early twenties, Eileen accepted the marriage proposal of Kevin Barrett, another Bronx/Mahopac native whom she had grown up with. In 1972 they were married and began their young lives in Lake Baldwin, in a one room shanty with an outhouse.
Eileen and Kevin grew their family and eventually settled in Stormville, NY where they built their dream home in 1987. Eileen devoted her life to raising 3 kids and balancing part time jobs to give her family everything they could ever want or need. She taught driver's ed with Jerry's Driving School at JFK High School, was a US Census worker, waitressed at the Briar Patch at Carmel Bowling Alley and looked after the children of friends, all before finding her true passion in life, Real Estate.
In Real Estate, Eileen found a way to combine her talents with all of her passions (her love of her community, helping young families, and being an advocate for new homeowners as they navigate the biggest financial decision in their lives). Eileen began with Lifestyles in Lake Carmel and spent time at Prudential World Homes, Coldwell Banker and Houlihan Lawrence before finally finding her favorite professional home at Keller Williams in Hopewell Jct. The professionals and co-workers that Eileen met throughout Dutchess & Putnam became her lifelong friends and those relationships are where she found some of her greatest joy. Eileen was one of the areas most successful and sought after Realtors, winning countless awards and recognitions over her 30 year career.
Eileen also volunteered her time and love of her community as a Carmel Rotarian, where she was a former president and Rotarian of the Year. Eileen especially loved helping young leaders develop through the RYLA program and always lived the Rotary motto "Service Above Self". Eileen also spent many years volunteering her expertise to the Putnam Emergency Services Safety Advisory Board.
It is difficult to sum up Eileen's 74 years by just listing a few of her tremendous accolades and accomplishments. What her friends and family will remember her for the most is the love she gave, the loyalty she displayed and the devotion to help others that guided her every day.
Eileen is survived by sisters Bernadette (husband William) and Kathleen (husband Dennis) and sister in-law Heidi. Eileen unfortunately lost her younger brother Jim earlier in 2024.
Eileen is survived by 3 children. Her oldest daughter Jeannine and son in-law Lewis, as well as son Jason and wife Jennifer, have been blessed that their children Taylor (18), Riley (15), Jackson (6) & Lilly (3) were able to know and love a grandmother who so absolutely adored them. Eileen was blessed with countless nieces and nephews who also brightened her life with great nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Eileen was able to remain a very strong and independent woman on her own for the past 20+ years. She worked tirelessly to put 3 kids through college and leave behind a legacy that we are all so very proud of. She will be missed as a dedicated member of her community, an inspirational professional and a beloved friend, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to one of these organizations in Eileen's name some of Eileen's favorite organizations are Carmel Rotary, Keller Williams Cares, Beekman Library, and Sparrow Nest. Please consider donating to one of these organizations in lieu of flowers.
Visitation will be held at Cargain Funeral Homes Inc. 10 Fowler Ave on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 from 3-7 P.M.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 10 A.M. at St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel.
Following Mass Eileen will be escorted to her final resting place for entombment in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley, NY.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc. 10 Fowler Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512, 845-225-3672, https://www.cargainfuneralhomes.com/.
We at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc. are deeply committed to responsibly responding to the health, well-being, and needs of the families, guests and communities we are privileged to serve.