DiCola, Barbara (Leahy)

September 23, 1959 – August 8, 2018

Barbara (Leahy) DiCola, 58, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2018 at her home in Alameda, California. Barbara was born in Oak Park, IL to Thomas M. Leahy, Jr. and Marjorie (Thalin) Leahy and spent most of her life in Wilmette and Chicago, IL. Barbara was a 1977 graduate of New Trier East High School, a 1981 graduate of Colorado State University with a BS in Business Administration, and in 2007 received a second Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, in Nursing from Rush University in Chicago.

Barbara met the love of her life and was married in 1998 to Paul J. DiCola of Chicago. He preceded her in death in 2003. She was a loving sister to Thomas C. Leahy (Marilyn) of Dublin CA, Nancy Leahy Glass (Michael) of Glencoe, IL and Jane Leahy Haras of Wilmette, IL. She was a devoted aunt to Katherine and Thomas Haras, Lauren and Thomas Christopher Leahy, Zev, Tala and Mica Glass. She was a loving godmother to many and a great-godmother to Katherine’s daughter, Ember Rose.

Barbara was a Flight Attendant for American Airlines for 35 years, which helped fulfill her zest for travel and exploration. She also worked in the Neurology Unit for Alexian Brothers Medical Center for five years. In 2015, Barbara moved to California. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on September 22, 2018 at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 1140 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, IL at 1:00. A Celebration of Life will also be held on September 29, 2018 at Speisekammer Restaurant, 2424 Lincoln Avenue, Alameda from 2:00 - 4:00.

Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the East Bay SPCA, 8323 Baldwin Street, Oakland, CA 94621. https://eastbayspca.org/getinvolved/give-now/tribute-gifts/