For Miami woman’s upcoming hundredth birthday, her children celebrate a life of giving
Mary Cecile Barreto turns 100 years old on Tuesday. She’s been heralded as a loving, caring mother who would take the world in her arms, offering open arms to those who need it.
She was born on April 19, 1922, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1925, her parents and two siblings made the trek down from Miami as immigrants coming for opportunity, her son Rodney Barreto said.
She attended Gesu Catholic School in downtown Miami, which would be eventually demolished in the 1980s. There, she found success in academics, winning many awards, and keeping active a variety of organizations, one interestingly named the “Vacuum Cleaner Club”.
Her daughter Rita Barreto says Cecile still laughs when asked what the “Vacuum Cleaner Club” was all about, often responding with one of her go-to sayings, “You should have asked me what it was all about earlier, as my mind has retired!”
Cecile was also crowned Miss Gesu and called the most popular girl in school, her children said. At Gesu Catholic Cecile met her future husband, Roger Barreto.
Marrying after high school, Cecile took on work as a secretary at Pan American Airlines Seaplane Terminal in Miami, which would later become Miami City Hall.
This would be her last job before starting a new noble career: professional mother to 11 children.
Professional caring mother
Cecile often refers to her 11 children as 11 blessings. Over a little more than 10 years she gave birth to seven sons and four daughters, who are now in their 60s and 70s.
Rita and Rodney recall their childhoods as being filled with endless love and support. Recalling that their mother would be behind many of their endeavors within reason.
“I’ve never ever seen her mad or upset,” Rita said. “She is really that special.”
Cecile’s Canadian roots and her husband Roger’s Hispanic up-bringing were present in their home as French and Spanish were commonly spoken around the halls.
The secret for caring to 11 children was simple for Cecile, Rita says, as she would say you have to make time for each child and make each one feel special. “Never judging, always listening and being there,” Cecile would say.
Rita’s dearest childhood memory displayed just that.
Every morning as Cecile packed lunches for all her children, marking their names on individual bags with a fine blue ink cross pen, she would have a mantra: “Be on your best behavior. I know you will make us proud.”
When Cecile wasn’t attending to her 11 children, she would participate in write-in competitions the Miami Herald used to hold in its Sunday papers. Competitions would ask readers write-in answers to various topics, such as coming up with a jingle.
“I think she really liked the competition and the creativity because she continues to be really clever,” Rita said.
Cecile was a frequent winner of these competitions, snagging an assortment of prizes. Bikes, lawnmowers, 10,000 King Korn trading stamps and a trip for two to the Orange Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. — which she generously gave to her sister for her honeymoon.
Her children would go on to several successful careers, which include a former Miami Beach Police Chief, award winning real estate agents, Miami-Dade Rescue Deputy Chief and Super Bowl Host Committee chairs.
Unlocked doors, welcoming home
Growing up, Rita and Rodney remember their home being filled with neighborhood kids as their mother’s arms were always open and welcoming.
“Our house was always controlled chaos,” Rita said. “I never recall a time when someone was turned away.”
During the day, the front yard packed with her 11 children and their friends playing wild games, from kickball to Pogo stick jumping. And at night the dinner table was just filled.
“Other kids seemed to end up at our dinner table,” Rodney said. “We grew up in a very loving home.”
Even during the holiday season, Thanksgiving would see large crowds of nearly 40 people. Not only inviting family and friends, but also those who may not have anyone to celebrate, Rita said.
“We had this really great kaleidoscope of people at the house that were always welcomed,” Rita said.
An atmosphere of welcoming still permeates around Cecile, as she continues to do simple good deeds to see a smile on others faces.
Rita says tips are large for food delivery workers and the mail carrier always had a cold bottle of water wrapped in paper towels waiting for them in the mailbox. Her mother doesn’t need the thank you, just seeing a smile from kindness is reward enough.
“The whole world is her family, without a doubt,” Rita said.
On Tuesday, her children said, their mom will get a shout out on NBC’s Today show from weather anchor Al Roker.
This story was originally published April 16, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
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