Barbara Ann Eichhorst, 88, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Richard Eichhorst; her sister, Elizabeth Seelman; her daughters, Linda Eggleston, Lisa Crawford, and Leigh Ann Zaretzky; sons-in-law, Richard Eggleston, Tom Gonsalves, Fred Crawford, and Thomas Zaretzky; and her grandchildren, Molly (Michael) Becker, Maggie Eggleston, Mary Eggleston, Benjamin Zaretzky, Jacob Zaretzky, Anna Gonsalves (Jack Schlote) and Olivia Crawford. Dear aunt, cousin and friend to everyone she met.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Marguerite and Washington Seelman, and her beloved daughter, Laura Gonsalves.
Barbara was born October 19, 1938 in Belleville, IL. Barbara devoted her life to caring for others, both through her work as a nurse and through the love she shared with her family and community.
Barbara truly loved her profession as a nurse, caring for patients in the operating room at Deaconess Hospital, followed by caring for students throughout St. Louis County. She retired from Hancock School District, after serving as a nurse there for 12 years. Above all, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joys were found in the people she loved and the family she nurtured throughout her life.
Services: Visitation at Kutis South County, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, on Thursday, November 5 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church at 9:30 AM followed by interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Following the interment, all are invited to lunch at Royale Orleans on Telegraph Road.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lemay Community Historical Society 2701 Sheridan Rd St. Louis MO 63125 in honor of Barbara’s deep love for and dedication to the Lemay community and its history.