Elaine (Sullivan) Barry
Elaine (Sullivan) Barry passed away peacefully with her family on the phone telling her how much she was loved on April 14th, 2020.
Elaine grew up and lived her entire life in Dorchester, spending her time as an active member of Saint Gregory’s Parish (lector and bingo volunteer) and as a teacher for over 20 years at Saint Gregory’s elementary school. She grew up attending Saint Gregory’s through High School making lifelong friends who are too numerous to name individually. She went on to graduate from Boston Teachers College starting her career teaching kindergarten in Quincy Ma before taking time off to raise her two sons and take care of her mother, Kathryn Sullivan. She enjoyed visits to Lake Boon, Maine, Cape Cod, and Scituate, enjoying her time with family and friends. When at home, she enjoyed many social gatherings with her life long friends and attending various family events. She was a devoted wife who spent the last 6 years as a caregiver to her husband. Her two granddaughters, Kathryn and Abigail, were the love of her life. Elaine always lit up the room with her enthusiasm and love of life. She was well loved by all who knew her and will be very much missed,
Elaine is survived by her husband Joseph of 58 years, her two sons Joseph (Suzanne) and Richard, her granddaughters, Kathryn and Abigail, her first cousin Kathy Donnellan (and family) and her sister in law Marjorie Foster (and family).
A Mass will be scheduled at later date.
We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the devoted doctors and nurses who took such good care of her at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Saint Gregory’s Parish, 2215 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124.
Guestbook Entries
We will miss you Elaine. You were a beautiful and caring person and were well loved by all. Prayers to your family at this sad time.
Elaine always did light up the room. Always laughing and smiling. Always so positive and caring. A family member who was truly there for everyone. She was always part of our lives for as long as I can remember. We had so many amazing times and experiences together growing up and all thru my life. I will remember the parties she would have during the holidays. Spending time on the cape with her. She loved her lobster rolls and I will continue the tradition of her famous shrimp dip. She was more like a sister to my mother (Kathy Donnellen) and an aunt to me. The true meaning of what family is all about. I know she is in heaven with Aunt Kay, Aunt Helen and Eva Hines (Grammy) reunited again and in the glory of God our father. Love you Aunt Elaine.
I will miss you Aunt Elaine. I will read my Smithsonian magazine and books and think of you! Thank you for being my Godmother. I am happy that you knew we got engaged.
To Elaine’s family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. We have another angel looking over us.
Rest In Peace Elaine. We will think of you often.
Love, Adrea
Elaine was a special lady. Her quiet, friendly, accepting disposition made her friends with everyone. Having worked with Elaine, I saw first hand how wonderful she was with children. She was respected by everyone she met. My sympathy goes out to her family,especially her two sons Richard and Joseph. Your mom was a treasure!
Out of sight , but never out of mind. Will cherish our friendship always. Love you forever. Love. Jay and Marian
Elaine was a breath of fresh air whenever you were with her. Always upbeat and enthused about everything!! I remember her sitting on our deck in Upstate NY sipping a small whiskey and exclaiming over the view, the pond, the hills, the barn, the horses!! And then we’d be sitting with her on Skaneateles lake and she would start all over again about the beauty of the lake and the village, etc.. etc…
You always felt better about everything after a visit with Elaine. She was a treasure. No doubt about it. Rest In Peace lovely woman.
My Deepest Sympathy to Elaine’s family…she will be forever in my heart.
My heart is heavy.
Love you Elaine.
I will forever hear you’re laughter and see your smile.
Xo
My prayers to Joe, Richard , Joseph and family.
I am very sad to hear about the passing of my 3rd grade teacher! Mrs. Barry always saw the best in me, and I will forever be grateful. Prayers of comfort for all who loved her. ❤
Mrs.Barry was my 3rd grade teacher at St. Greg’s. I love being in her class and seeing her around Lower Mills when I was little. Deepest condolences to her family
I am at loss for words. This news hurt & hit me to my core. Mrs. Barry was my 3rd grade teacher at St. Gregory’s School. I will never forget how much she cared for all of her students. I will never forget how she made learning FUN! She was always wanting the very best out of me. When I didn’t understand, she made sure she explained the work in a way that made sense. I have a picture of us together right before one of our shows. I was wearing a red sweater & a skirt. Mrs. Barry had a huge smile on her face. I wish you could see me now Mrs. Barry. I think you would be proud. Rest In Heaven. 💜
With deepest sympathy to entire family
Margaret Duncan Devaney
So sorry for your loss. I will never forget how kind and helpful Elaine was to me when I started my teaching career across the hall from her at St. Greg’s. I was blessed to hear her laughter throughout the day! I can still see her practicing the Christmas poem with her students. RIP, Elaine! I was lucky to have her in my life!🙏❤️
Elaine was one of a kind! Always upbeat, happy and positive! I taught with her at St Gregory’s and we maintained our friendship after I left and she retired. Loved our breakfasts at Newcomb Farms! One of my fondest memories is our teacher gathering at Lake Boon! Elaine and I loved the water so we would venture in with our noodles and float and chat for hours! Will miss you!
I am heartbroken to hear of Elaine’s passing. We taught 3rd grade together and she made me laugh every day. She was a true professional and extraordinary teacher.I will miss her kind smile and laughter.She could light up any room with her enthusiasm and energy.
Condolences to her family.
Mrs. Barry was my 3rd grade teacher and refused to let me fall behind. She’d spend entra time with me; She always knew I was a diamond in the rough. For years we were familiar through St. Gregorys school and church as well as at Meetinghouse. She made a very large impact on my life and I am forever grateful to her. May her beautiful soul rest in the sweetest of peace. She will be missed. 🙏🏼❤️
Mrs. Barry was my first teacher when I started at St. Gregory’s in the 3rd grade. She was such a great teacher, warm and compassionate to a shy newcomer. She will be missed.
To Joe, Joe Jr., Richard, and Al of the family, Elaine was one of the most kind hearted and caring people I’ve ever known. I will miss our wonderful chats, we had so many laughs over the years at her kitchen table. I came to meet the Barry family as a caregiver for Joseph Sr. Elaine and family became so much more to me over the years, she always had a warm smile waiting for me when I arrived. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Till we meet again Elaine, Heaven has gained a beautiful Angel, I Know she’ll watch over all she held dear on Earth including me. 🙏❣️🌹
Elaine was simply one of the most genuine, optimistic and gracious people to have touched my life. Because she was my godmother, parent of my childhood friend, Joe, and a close neighbor, I had the pleasure of her company almost daily. Her quick wit and laughter made every occasion that much more delightful. Her patience and sincerity made every interaction with her that much more meaningful. She always felt like part of my family and she always treated me and my own family as part of hers. Elaine of all people deserves a much grander farewell than the present times allow, but true to her nature, she would have handled such a moment with the utmost dignity and understanding. I love you Lala, and will always keep you in my heart.
Dear Lala,
I miss you very much and I have had so much fun being with you.
lots of love,
Sophia. xxx
Wonderful, kind, thoughtful Elaine – You are so missed. I am so grateful to have know you and will always treasure how you welcomed me with open arms. Love you.
We would always look forward to the times when Mrs Barry would come to Syracuse or Skaneateles to visit her son Joe, and Sue and Katie and Abby, so we could visit with her. She was always full of energy and lit up the room! Our sons also loved talking with her. Even if we didn’t see her for a long time, she would be able to start talking right where we left off a year ago because she listened, and remembered, and truly cared!
Elaine will surely be missed. Her kindness knew no bounds. She was one in a million.🙏🏼
Elaine was always a big supporter of mine and of my business. I will miss our occasional chats at tellers windows at Meetinghouse Bank. My sincere condolences to her family and those that loved her.
My memories of Elaine bring me back to Boston state teachers college. I recently called her to have her help me build a list of classmates for a reunion this coming October. She and I had a wonderful conversation! I am so sorry That our Busy lives kept us from being closer friends These past years. She was a wonderful woman and I’m so happy that I had her friendship during our college years and beyond. I remember her with love and prayers. I’m so glad she was a part of my life. Sending warm hugs to your family in this difficult time. JANE Foley
To the Barry family;
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Elaine, she will be missed by all.
Gerard Adomunes
Formerly of Gerard’s-Adams Corner
Our deepest sympathies and condolences are sent to Elaine’s family. Elaine was and is an absolute gem. I will always remember that smile and laugh. To this day when I hear the Exodus reading on Holy Saturday I smile and think of Elaine. Elaine you will be missed.
🎶 Go now in peace faithful friend of God, as you take our love into paradise. God’s holy angels will lead you home to the wide waiting arms of the Lord. 🎶.
Rest In Peace Elaine with our love,
Genia, Bill, Joan, Laura and Cheryl
I wanted to express my deepest condolences. Mrs Barry helped me
Learn how to multiply which took confidence I built inside of me because of Mrs. Barry as my teacher. She was so amazing and vested in her Students. I will miss her dearly as well. I will pray for her family.
I have just learned of Elaine’s passing. Elaine was our class president at St. Greg’s. She was one of the loveliest people I have ever met, always so upbeat and a joy to be around. My condolences to her family and to her closest friends. She leaves many fond memories.
Imagine a sweet lilting voice every time you call! Elaine’s enduring personality came through the phone’s. sound waves-all through these many past years. I was one of the lucky ones to have voted for her as our perfect Class President in 1956 at St. Greg’s.
My thoughts and prayers to all her family and many, many friends.
Mrs Barry was such a kind teacher and sweet old soul. I spent my third grade in the 1990s with her at St Gregory’s. She truly cared about every child in her classroom and was such a blessing to the St Gregory’s community. I cannot remember a time that she was not smiling in her classroom. She truly went out of her way to make every child feel welcome.
I first met Mrs. Barry when I became the Children’s Librarian at the Lower Mills Branch Library. She would bring her third grade class every week for a class visit. Later, when Mrs. Barry had retired and I became the Manager of the Adams Street Branch, we reconnected over books. Mrs. Barry was a voracious reader of mysteries, and I loved making sure that she had the latest books by her favorite authors. She always entered the library with a smile for the staff, and periodically would leave a thank you card or a treat from Phillips Candy on my desk. I already miss talking to her, her sense of humor and passion for reading. With deepest sympathy for her family, Katie
So saddened by this news…. this year is taking a lot of great people from us 😥 left and right I’m hearing of someone I know has passed, as well I’m dealing with a devastating loss as well my dad on April 22. Mrs Barry was an awesome teacher she was a favorite to many. I was not in her 3rd grade class as I had gotten Mrs Cooper. But she taught my older siblings. Such a sweet lady . So sorry and sending deepest condolences to the family may she rest in heavenly peace.