Mary Barry, 91, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away on Thursday, April 2nd, at her home under the care of her family and Catholic Community Hospice.
Mary, daughter of Dr. Adelbert Suwalsky and Constance (Annis) Suwalsky, was born January 29th, 1935 in Leavenworth, KS. She was the second oldest of eight children. Mary attended Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, where she was a strong student- and we recently learned she was a cheerleader. She learned to cook and care-give early as she helped with meals and babysitting for her younger siblings while her mother worked as a nurse.
Mary moved to Kansas City, MO in 1957 after graduating from St Mary’s College with a degree in Philosophy. She began working for Continental Oil Company and soon met John who lived in the same apartment building on the Country Club Plaza. A chance meeting in the elevator was the beginning of a rich life and legacy.
John and Mary married on September 6th, 1958 in her hometown. Mary and John had nine children. Tragically, John passed away on February 25th, 1979. As a young widow at age 44, Mary accepted the profound responsibility of raising the children with grace, fortitude, and resolve. She fulfilled her’s and John’s commitment to faith and education by making sacrifices to send the kids to Catholic schools, elementary though college. Mary found a way, beyond the family demands, to extend her service to her church and community, being on the condolence committee for decades and as a Eucharistic minister. She was an active and dedicated member of Cure of Ars Parish since 1963 and has been referred to as a “pillar of the community” which she would humbly deny.
Mary was above all a devoted mother; she lived for her children. Her days consisted of being a taxi driver, an overworked secretary, and catering for nine busy kids. But somehow, she was still able to pursue her hobbies in jazzer-sizing (into her 90s), cooking, and entertaining - she even worked as an actual caterer with her dear friends for years. She enjoyed attending the Missouri Repertory Theatre for many seasons, was an avid bridge player, and engaged in bible studies.
Mary’s compass was faith. This commitment to faith manifested in love of her family, service, selflessness, and quiet determination. She was a lion in the body of a little lady.
Mary is survived by her nine children, Tom Barry, Maureen Higbie (Paul Higbie) Joe Barry (Sheila McGreevy), Anne Goldsmith (Mike Goldsmith), Matt Barry, Sean Barry (Amy Barry), Elizabeth Barry, Katherine Barry (Coby Reinhardt), Molly Guinto (Paul Guinto), twenty four grandchildren, Erin Cordova (Steve Cordova), Alex Higbie (Elizabeth Higbie), Peter Higbie (Stewart Pine), Molly Yingst (Jacob Yingst), Andrew Higbie (Cappy Higbie), Noah Higbie, Bridget Faerber (Max Faerber), John Barry (Maddie Barry), Michael Barry, James Barry, Philip Goldsmith (Melissa Goldsmith), Luke Goldsmith, Patrick Goldsmith (Chelsea Goldsmith), Emma Pudil (Tommy Pudil), Molly Goldsmith, Jack Barry, Frank Barry (Julia Barry), Joe Barry, Pete Barry, Ellen Noll, Holden Noll, Max Reinhardt, Oliver Reinhardt, Sofia Guinto and fourteen great grandchildren, Sofia Cordova, Blake Cordova, Chiara Higbie, Gemma Higbie, Gabriel Higbie, Henry Yingst, Madeline Yingst, Declan Higbie, Bennet Barry, Fritz Faerber, Orla Goldsmith, Athena Goldsmith, Freya Goldsmith, Margaret Pudil, and two more on the way. She is also survived by her siblings Anne Fitch, Connie Suwalsky, John Suwalsky, and Margaret Poindexter.
She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. John Barry, her brothers Al and Tom Suwalsky, and her sister Ruth Duncan and great granddaughter Mia Barry.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Thursday April 9th at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa KS. 66215
The Rosary will take place at 10 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 on Friday, April 10th at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Road Leawood, KS 66206.
If desired, family suggests memorial contributions to Cure of Ars Catholic Church or Operation Breakthrough in lieu of flowers. Prayers are always welcome.