Obituary of Eileen Guaricci

Eileen Marian Harriot Barnes Guaricci, 94, passed away June 20, 2022, with her family by her side. She was born to the late Thomas and Florence Barnes, December 2, 1927 in London, England as one of 6 children. She had 3 brothers, Thomas, Harry and Cyril and 2 sisters, Midge and Florence. She married the late Donato Guaricci in 1945, and they lived together in Richmond Hill for 15 years before relocating to Franklin Square. In her last few years, she resided at Benton House in Clermont, Florida near her son and family. Eileen is survived by one son: Danny Guaricci and his wife, Barbara Guaricci of Davenport, Florida. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Nancy, Susan and her husband Robert White, Daniel and his wife Erica Guaricci, Michael and his wife Elizabeth Russo and Veronica and seven great-grandchildren, Daniel, Hayley, Caitlin, Ava, Emma, Olivia, and Halina. Eileen was predeceased by her loving husband in 1994 and her daughter, Marie Russo in 2003 and son-in-law, Christopher Russo in 1997. Eileen was a GI Bride who met Donato during World War II in London. She came to the US in 1945, arriving on Ellis Island with other overseas war brides where she became a naturalized citizen. There is an article written in the New York Times about her crossing and coming to America. She is on the Randall’s Island Wall of Fame, a member of the cosmopolitan club and a member of the organization of overseas war brides. She was an accomplished seamstress who made the most beautiful dresses, including her dresses for her children’s weddings. Eileen was the life of the party wherever she went, loved by all who met her. She loved music and was always singing, one of her favorites was God Bless America. She always said, “I love this country”, “I love England, too, of course. It’s my roots. But I always say if anything happened between America and England, put me in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in a boat, and I don’t know which way I would go.”