Four years ago, Our mom received the devastating news that no family ever wants to hear: she had cancer. What followed was a journey none of us could have prepared for, filled with hope, fear, treatments, setbacks, small victories, and incredible displays of strength from the extraordinary woman of faith she was.

Our mother has always been a fighter and a woman of deep Christian faith. She’s the person who would drop everything to help a neighbor, volunteer at our church, and make sure everyone around her felt loved and supported. Many of you will remember her famous tamales during the holidays how her face would light up taking orders, spending days in the kitchen, and knowing that each batch helped raise funds for our church. Cooking wasn’t just something she did; it was how she poured and showed her love. Her home was always open, her table always had room for one more, and somehow she made everyone who walked through her door feel like family.

Throughout her cancer battle, even on her worst days, she continued to worry more about others than herself, often saying she was fighting the battle that would culminate with her transition to a better life where she knew Jesus was waiting for her with her bejeweled crown. Even when treatments made it difficult to cook, she would still insist on helping plan church fundraisers, helping prepare the ingredients, her eyes would sparkle when she talked about bringing people together through food and fellowship.

Her faith never wavered, even when the treatments became overwhelming and the pain seemed unbearable. She would remind us that this battle was temporary, but her hope in Christ was eternal. She found strength in prayer, in her church family, and in the promise that one day she would be free from suffering.

Today, after four years of treatments, surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, our beloved mother has peacefully passed away and made it to the other side she so faithfully believed in. While we are heartbroken beyond words, we find comfort knowing she is no longer in pain and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior. We are grateful for the time we had together, her unwavering faith that carried our entire family, and the love that surrounded her in her final days.

Cancer doesn’t just devastate families emotionally it’s financially crushing.

Many of you have reached out asking how you can help our family during this heartbreaking time, and your love and concern have been a source of comfort that we can’t adequately express. If you feel led to contribute, please consider donating to help us cover the funeral expenses as we lay our beloved mother to rest with the dignity and honor she deserves. Whether it’s $5 or $500, no amount is too small, and every gift no matter the size carries with it your love and prayers, which mean more to us than you’ll ever know.

Your generosity allows us to focus on celebrating her incredible life rather than worrying about the financial burden of saying goodbye.

She would be overwhelmed (in the best way) to know how many people cared about her and want to help our family during this difficult time including those whose holidays were made sweeter by her tamales and whose hearts were warmed by her hospitality. Your kindness is a gift that extends far beyond the financial support it’s a reminder that God works through His people to carry us through the darkest moments and help us honor her beautiful, faith-filled life of service and love.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story, for considering a donation, and for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this profound loss.

We’ll continue to update this page with our gratitude and ways we’re honoring mom’s memory and celebrating how her faith impacted so many lives. Your support allows us to focus on what’s most important: celebrating the incredible woman of God she was and healing as a family through Christ’s love.

With love and endless gratitude,

The Barreto Family

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known". Jeremiah 33:3