Ellen (Helen) Gertrude (Boyd) Barry

With appreciation of a life lived in full, the family of Ellen (Helen) Barry announce her peaceful death at home in Grand Bay-Westfield on Saturday, July, 22, 2017. Born on September 11, 1923 in Johnville, Carleton Co., NB. She was eldest daughter of the late Cloud and Gertrude (Pickard) Boyd. 

Helen graduated high school in 1941 from St. Mary's Academy. The following year, she was granted a First Class Teacher's License from the Provincial Normal School in Fredericton. Always a teacher, in school or out, she began her first job at eighteen, teaching in a one-room school house in Kiloween, Carleton Co. She taught until 1976 and finished her classroom career as a grade one teacher at Grand Bay Elementary. Her 'little people', as she called her first-graders, grew up in her classes. Many of her pupils never forgot the help and care 'Mrs. Barry' gave to their first year of schooling. 

Helen married Ronald Barry on June 30, 1948 in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Johnville. They began married life in Petersville, Queen's Co., before moving to Grand Bay and raising six children. They were married for over thirty-five years when Ronnie died. She was also predeceased by two sons: Lynn and Louis; her first grandchild: Jennifer MacFarlane; sister: Maddie Logue (Johnny); brothers: Basil Boyd (Teresa); Walter (Sam) Boyd (Betty); and Arnold Boyd (Cecelia). 

She is survived by her sons: Boyd and Paul, Grand Bay-Westfield; daughters: Suzanne MacFarlane, Saint John; Jacqueline Butler, Calgary AB; daughter-in-law: Joanne Barry, Quispamsis; grandchildren: Nicholas MacFarlane (Nicola), Caledonia, ON; Matthew Butler and Andrew Butler, Sydney, NS; Emily Butler, Calgary; Shannon Wentworth (Scott), Quispamsis; Jan Barry (Mike Mazerolle); Grand Bay-Westfield; and Shelby Barry, Saint John; great-grandchildren: Loucas and Bodhi Wentworth and Maisie Mazerolle; sisters: Barbara Krochenski (Walter, deceased); Wilhelmina (Billie) Benson (Joe, deceased); Denise Vanderkley (Karl); and Pauline Lavery (Alex); and many nieces, nephews and extended family. 

Helen was a relentless reader. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, cross stitch and refinishing furniture. She was an enthusiast at auctions and, in later years, revelled in deals found and negotiated via Kijiji. Virtually her whole life, she loved singing and dancing.

A devout Catholic, she practiced her faith with thought and grace. Family was her other abiding love. She was a devoted wife, a selfless mother and an adoring grandmother and great-grandmother. She filled everyone's bellies with homemade breads, pies and cookies and nourished hearts and minds with learning, love and laughter. 

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and caring staff of the Extra-Mural Program, especially Mum's primary nurse, Ralph Johnson RN. To Judy Hickson, PSW, we will always be grateful for the uplifting and compassionate care you provided Mum when she needed it the most. 

Resting at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424) on Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 1-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Grand Bay-Westfield on Friday, July 28, 2017 at 11 a.m. Internment will be held in St. Augustine's Cemetery. The family would appreciate donations to Bobby's Hospice. 

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