Shirley Barry Trevena

SHIRLEY BARRY TREVENA

            A week shy of her 95th birthday, our beloved mother Shirley Barry Trevena passed away with her family gathered at her bedside. She was born on June 14, 1929 to William and Roxie (Collins) Collette in Oakley, Idaho in the same little farm house as her mother before her. She was the first of six children. The family moved to Butte in 1938 where she attended local schools.

            Nine years later in November of 1947, she married Richard Barry and became a vital member of the Barry family. She admired her mother-in-law, Helen (Nana) Barry, who mentored and guided her. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to a family home in the Dublin Gulch. It was a place that captured her heart with a beautiful yard that held lilac bushes, apple trees and the flowers she grew and tended. Mom and Dad became friends with the families who lived in the Gulch, and they often took vacations and had picnics together. We visited the Gulch long after we moved from there, sliding under a Company fence or squeezing between gate posts to get there. 

            Shirley and Rich had seven children and they adopted an eighth to even the family out to four girls and four boys. She loved us unconditionally and that love was returned. She and Dad attended her kids’ sporting events and other activities in which they took part. She enjoyed camping trips, fishing and traveling with her children and grandchildren.

            During her lifetime, she worked as a drapery seamstress and became very proficient at the art. She was a brilliant dressmaker and made and repaired clothing for her family and friends through most of her life. She went to work for Butte Head Start and worked there for 18 years in all capacities from classroom aide to Assistant Director. 

            She returned to school at 57 years of age to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, a feat for which she was extremely proud. She worked as an LPN for Butte Park Royal, Beta Factor and Easter Seals.

            Shirley was a wonderful painter and craftsperson, and many of her works of art are dispersed throughout the family and the community. She painted the large sign that welcomes visitors to the Municipal Golf Course while standing in the back of a pickup truck. The Lady of the Rockies was very special to her, and she volunteered with them for many years. She also belonged to the KC Ladies, the Daughters of Isabella, the Red Hatters, and a neighborhood club that spanned many decades with treasured friends. She was on the board of the Belmont Senior Center until her death. She enjoyed her lasting friendships, travel, camping, picking huckleberries, fishing, and most of all she loved and enjoyed her children and grandchildren. Her special pride was the work she did creating photo albums of everyone. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Catholic Church for decades. 

            Her husband Rich died in 1995 after 48 years of marriage filled with family. In their retirement, they spent a lot of time traveling to see family and camping on the Big Hole and at the Anaconda Camp Ground.

She married Bill Trevena in 1997 and took up golf at age 68. They became snowbirds during the winter months until Bill’s death in 2008.

In 2010, she met Jim Sullivan who became her steadfast and loving companion for 12 years until his death in 2022. They traveled a great deal, including a special trip to Ireland and their favorite cruise to Denali National Park in Alaska, and they spent most Sunday mornings at Annie’s Café where they had a reserved table. 

            Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rich, son Robert, daughter Barbara Waters, sister Brenda Nix, brother Gene. son-in-law Dave Dysinger, grandson Cullan Barry, husband Bill Trevena, and companion Jim Sullivan.

            She is survived by her children Lee (Steve) Whitney, Michael (Hon Ja) Kwan, Patti (John Healy) Dysinger, Nancy (Karl) Cramer, Mark (Pam), Dan (Chris), her brothers Bill and Terry Collette and sister Pat Kusler. She also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. 

            In her honor, memorials may be made to the Butte Food Bank, the Lady of the Rockies, BSB Archives, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Shirley’s memorial service will be held at Duggan Dolan Mortuary on June 18. Friends will be received at 12:00 p.m. with the service conducted at 1:00 p.m.