Judith L. Barry

Judith L. Barry

June 13, 1937 - September 04, 2014

Judith L. Barry

June 13, 1937 - September 04, 2014

Obituary

On September 4, 2014, Judith L. Barry, quietly and peacefully left us after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Clete, and devoted children, son David and his wife Yao, and daughter Jill. She died as she lived with dignity and grace; always caring for the feelings of those around her.

Born in Seattle, WA on June 13, 1937, Judy was the oldest of three children to parents Hugh and Marjorie LaVille. Her younger sister, Susan, with whom she shared a bedroom until Judy’s departure to college, adored and admired her beloved, older sister and will miss her terribly.

Judy graduated from Bellevue High School in 1955 and attended Central Washington University in the Fall where she met the love of her life, Cletus Barry. Clete had joined the army and was being transferred to Alaska, so the happy couple quickly became engaged and was married on February 23, 1957. In August, they moved to Fairbanks, AK. They lived there for two years and during this time son, David Paul, was born on March 24, 1958.

In 1959, Clete was honorably discharged from military life and the small family decided to move back to Bellevue, WA and purchased their first home in Highland Hills and it was there that daughter, Jill Cathleen, joined the family; born on April 8, 1960. Highland Hills was also where many life-long friendships were made: Ogilvie, Sater, Janssen, Sparks and Hanna families.

Judy was a stay at home mom, while Clete joined the family grocery/meat cutting business to earn a living. In 1969, Judy returned to the work force as an Administrative Assistant for the Bellevue Public School District, spending time at both Tyee Jr High School and then moving to Highland Middle School. The family enjoyed camping and waterskiing together and Judy even found time to play on a softball team and bowling league for many years. She worked 25 years for the school district and in 1997, she and Clete retired and moved to Mission Viejo, CA to be close to their adult children and grandchildren; Joshua, Sean, Tyler and Tara.

During retirement, both Judy and Clete spent hundreds of hours attending little league baseball games, soccer games, basketball games and swim meets. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. In between these activities Judy found time to volunteer at the Thrift Shop that is associated with Mission Hospital, clocked in volunteer hours in the office of St. George Episcopal Church for 10 years and she was an active member of the Palmia Landscape Committee and Garden Club. During this time, Judy and Clete made many new friends living in the Palmia community and enjoyed attending numerous Palmia sponsored functions and events.

She fell in love with the California sunshine and spent a lot of time exploring the California beaches; San Clemente became one of her favorites. Judy and Clete were also fortunate to travel the world and enjoyed taking several trips during retirement; Caribbean Cruise, Panama Canal Cruise, Seine River Cruise, Smokey Mountain Bus Tour, Ireland/Scotland Tour and Costa Rica Tour.

She was a woman of tremendous joy and easy laughter; always ready for a challenge be it family, work, or play.

Judy is survived by her best friend and husband, Clete (57 yrs); her loving son, David (Yao); her kind-hearted daughter, Jill (David); her pride and joy grandchildren, Joshua (Allie), Sean (Ashlee), Tyler (Sarah) and Tara (Scott); and finally she was over the moon ecstatic meeting and holding her two great-granddaughters; Presley Cathleen and Piper Rae.

A celebration of Judy’s life will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. @ St. George Episcopal Church, 23802 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances are suggested to
Illumination Foundation, http://www.ifhomeless.org/about-us/,
Mission Hospital, http://www.mission4health.com/Contact-Us/Email-Directory.aspx,
or St. George Episcopal Church, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/parish/st-georges-parish-laguna-hills-ca.

Please visit the online guest book at https://www.oconnormortuary.com/obituaries/Judith-Barry/.

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17 responses to Judith L. Barry

  1. david says:

    Mom loved you, Kim and your Mom

  2. Though we have lost touch over the years, I was so sad to hear of Cousin Judy’s struggle and now passing. We all spent so much time together when David, Jill and I were kids. Fond memories. Your mom was always so fun. I loved looking through the album posted here and seeing all the new family members. I posted a four generation photo that I always loved.

    Thinking of all of you during your time of sadness.

    Love, Cousin Margy

  3. Wa S Tigrett says:

    We are very please to know and meet Ms Judy Barry, for she touched us with beautiful smile and heart of love that’s unconditional.
    We love her
    Odie and Wa

  4. Gene Duval says:

    Gene and Claudia Duval will miss Judy’s smile, willingness to share, community mindedness and most of all her ability to share openly and passionately her feelings and contributions to her retirement home in Palmia.

  5. Linda Moore says:

    To know her was to love her. She was such a bright and shining light. I will always appreciate her kindness and understanding when I was going through rough times. I was so lucky to not only have her as a next door neighbor, but as a dear and trusted friend. I see so much of who she was in her wonderful family….how wonderful that her lovely spirit lives on in them.

    Linda Moore

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