Dorothy Barry

Dorothy (Salt) Barry passed away peacefully on May 2 after a sudden illness. She was uniquely elegant, deeply kind, quietly fierce, and had an innate appreciation for people who could make her laugh or who saw the world just a bit differently.

Born on Long Island on January 30, 1942, Dorothy and her brother Ross endured an early childhood marked by loss and upheaval. She began carving out her independence in boarding school and later in junior college. After graduation, she embraced life in New York City, working as an assistant to several record labels, including RCA. She met and married her ex-husband Dan, and developed meaningful friendships and a love of travel that would never fade.

She later moved back to Long Island to raise her daughter, a role she took on with absolute devotion. As a full-time mother, she was patient, loving, and completely present. When her daughter reached school age, she earned her bachelor’s degree and a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University, launching a second career in her true calling - helping others. She worked with military families at Army Community Service and later at the Navy Family Service Center - roles she absolutely adored.

After her divorce in 1992, she moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to be with her best friend Julie. She continued her social work career as a clinical supervisor at ValueOptions before retiring in 2003 to a life of utter fabulousness. She traveled extensively, cherished her role as a devoted grandmother, adopted (and spoiled!) several cats, volunteered at CrisisLink, explored Buddhism and followed politics with the insight and intensity of a seasoned strategist.

In recent years, a string of stubborn illnesses tried their best to slow her down—and physically, they sometimes did. But Dorothy stayed as sharp, curious, and opinionated as ever, devouring the news, reading widely, debating politics, and staying connected to the people and ideas in which she believed.

Dorothy had a rare gift for making people feel truly heard. She was the one that friends and family called when they were in crisis, or just needed a calm voice and a thoughtful perspective. She listened more than she spoke, but when she did talk, she was insightful, often wry, and always genuine. She was generous to a fault, consistently putting others before herself, and she did it all with quiet grace and unparalleled kindness.

She is survived by her daughter Kim (Paul), grandsons Charlie and Ryan, siblings-in-law Charles, Timothy and Carol Ann, niece and nephews Victoria, David, William, Christopher, and Michael, and her feline sidekick, Ozzie.

Dorothy left behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and dignity. She will be missed more than words can ever express.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dorothy’s name to St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital, Central Union Mission or the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary (she adored pigs!). A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 1 at 1 pm at the Archer Hotel at 1600 King Street in Alexandria, VA (see details below).