Olive Simpson Barry

Barry, Olive Simpson, 87, of South Dennis, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at the Crest Haven Nursing Home. Olive was born on November 21, 1925, in Manchester, England, the daughter of Walter and Annie Taylor Simpson. During World War II, Manchester was a major target of German bombs, and Olive and her sister were evacuated to the countryside for safety. Later in the war, Olive served in the Women's Royal English Navy. In London she met U.S. Navy reporter Thomas Barry, who later became her husband. Olive and Thomas Barry had nine children. After her husband's death, Olive returned to school and was a Distinguished Scholar in the first four-year class of Stockton State College, graduating in 1975. After college, Olive embarked on a career as a probation officer in the Cape May County Probation Department where she helped establish the county's Pre-Trial Intervention Program. She was also a long-time member of the Board of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital (now Cape Regional), and served as its Vice-President. One of her proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the hospital's day care center for employees' children. Together with her friend Ruth Fisher, Olive was a founding member of the "Sun People," Cape May County's seminal environmental organization, and was a principal organizer of Cape May County's first Earth Day celebration in 1976, held in Cape May City. Olive enjoyed being an active gardener, loved to travel, and took an avid interest in social and political issues and spending time with her family. Olive is survived by her sister, Hazel Marshall, son Stephen Barry, daughter-in-law Suzanne Pasley, daughter Constance Barry Corrado, son-in-law Frank Corrado, step-daughter Diana Cartier, son-in-law Jacques Cartier, daughter Rosanna Bryson, son-in-law Tim Bryson, daughter Rachel Corrado, son-in-law Dr. Peter Corrado, son Thomas Barry, daughter-in-law Sally Barry, daughter Clare Sommers, son-in-law Wayne Sommers, son Christopher Barry, daughter-in-law Lisa Beard Barry, son John Barry, daughter-in-law Betsy Barry. In addition, Olive is survived by 25 grandchildren: Nicholas Cartier; Dana Barry Cox; Patrick Barry; Rebecca Filipczak; Laurel Braida; Bonnie Hamilton; Frank III, Stephen, Kate, and Peter Corrado; Anne, Tony and John Corrado; Oliver and Ruby Barry; Ella, Colleen, Margaret, and Samuel Barry; Christine, Cole and Carson Barry; Diana, Beau and Pamela Sommers. Olive's 14 great-grandchildren include Zack Marshall; Jace Filipczak; Elise Srsic; Carolyn Braida; Luke, Olivia, and Sophia Corrado; Nathaniel Corrado; Simone and Julian Corrado; Timothy and Charlotte Hamilton; and Thomas and Lola Barry. A time of sharing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Radzieta Funeral Home, 9 Hand Avenue, Cape May Court House, NJ, where a time of visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. The family requests donations to the ARC of Cape May County, PO Box 255, South Dennis, NJ 08245.