After a life of love and quiet grace, Lourdes Barrera of Gurnee, IL has passed.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
There are losses that teach us the weight of a life.
Lourdes Cabal Barrera, known lovingly to family and friends as “Lori” or “Ate Lori,” passed away peacefully in her home on May 2, 2026, in Winthrop Harbor, IL. She was born on April 13, 1931, in Cagayan Philippines. Lourdes lived a life defined by her unwavering devotion to her Catholic faith, husband Felipe E. Barrera and four sons Ernest, Phillip, Ferdinand, and Joseph. Her compassion for the church and tireless spirit of service to her prayer friends was always unwavering. Lourdes grew up in the Philippines before embarking on a life that would take her from her homeland. She became a devoted and loyal United States Navy military spouse, caring for her four sons while her husband, Felipe, served honorably in the US Navy. Through many deployments and separations that military life demands, Lourdes held her family together with strength, grace, and commitment to those she loved. Her professional life reflected the same dedication to caring for others that defined her personal character. Lourdes served as a supervisor at Winchester house for over 20 years, while working additional part time jobs to support her family. After retirement, she became a private caretaker. She often said that her proudest achievement in life was taking care of other elderly people. Those who knew her, understood that this was not merely a profession, but a calling from God. Lourdes was a very strong-willed, hard-working individual who poured her energy into everything she undertook in life. She found the joy in gardening, decorating, and transforming her surroundings into spaces of warmth and beauty with many of God’s angels and saints throughout her home. Above all, God and family was the center of her world. She cherished every moment spent with those she helped. Her deep and abiding faith guided her throughout 95 years of her life. Lourdes was very active at Our Lady of Humility Church in Beach Park, IL. where she assisted in many numerous church activities, primarily in the cherished Filipino yearly tradition (Simbang Gabi) involving a nine-day series of devotional masses during Christmas. Her devotion to her faith was the cornerstone of her identity and source of strength for all who knew her.Lourdes was preceded in death by her beloved husband Felipe E. Barrera and her cherished grandson Aaron Joseph Barrera. She is survived by her four sons, Ernest (Tammie), Phil (Lillibelle), Ferdinand, and Joseph (Angel) Barrera; four sisters, Concepcion Romero, Wilhelmina Cabal Cabagui, Rosalia Cabal Alcantara, Irene Cabal Conception; and thirteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.Those who wish to honor Lourdes are encouraged to remember her as how she lived with her heart and hands extended in service to others. May she rest in eternal peace.Visitation will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Gurnee Salata Funeral Home, 4190 Old Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031. Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Our Lady of Humility, 10655 W Wadsworth Rd, Beach Park, IL 60099. Burial will immediately follow at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.Arrangements are being entrusted to Gurnee Salata Funeral Home.
