Sean, Riana, Shiway and Sadie Barry

2012 - 2022

Sadie Lucille Barry, 9, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on June 19, 2012, to Sean and Riana Barry. She thrived as a natural born saleswoman selling everything from magic wands to Girl Scout Cookies. She just liked to "meet new people and sell cookies." Her vivacious wide-eyed spirit helped sell 1,400 boxes this year alone. She was a burgeoning young chef and cake decorator, though she rarely ate the delicious food she crafted. She adored all things creative, and animal related (particularly reptiles). She loved being her mom's helper, hammock dancing, unicorns, dragons … Her quirky wardrobe choices served to keep her warm and everyone else entertained.

Shiway Elizabeth Barry, 12, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on July 17, 2009, to Sean and Riana Barry. She aspired to be a farmer-veterinarian. She was a gentle guinea pig mama to Brownie, Graygorie, Alfredo, Cream and Cookie. (Shiway enjoyed playing Minecraft, basketball, gaga ball, her violin, Legos, swimming, snorkeling, reading, Girl Scout horse camp, and time spent outdoors. Shiway was a highly intelligent, precocious child with a quick wit. She often was found enjoying the simple pleasure of swinging on a playground swing contemplating life, rainbows or ways to make her IRA grow.

Riana Skogstad Barry, 44, was born in Willmar, Minnesota, to Terry Schmidt and Vicky Daniels. She was valedictorian of her Pine River-Backus High School class and graduated from St. Benedict's with a degree in social work. Prior to shifting to executive director of Team Shiway and Sadie, she worked as a social worker. She specialized in adoption and home studies, driven to strengthen the adoption process and helping those involved. She was a passionate unschooler. Among her many interests were crafting, tie dying, gardening, cooking, reading, traveling, camping and hiking. Fearlessly, she would jump into a big project, including the construction of the family cabins in Alaska. She was known to wear flip-flops until it became weather prohibitive. She was a woman of remarkable intelligence and calm, steadfast personality. Her life's greatest joy was being a mother to their girls. Riana is survived by her older daughter, Perrin Cora; mother, Vicky "Gigi" Daniels; dad, Terry (Jane Gorski) Schmidt; biological father, LaRue Skogstad; siblings, Regan (Shannon Conroe) Skogstad, and Anjela (Michael) Ayllon; nieces and nephews, Alan (Amber), Austin, Jani, Andrew (/Bruce Wayne), Gracie, Miles, Calvin and Ethan; great-niece, Memory; and stepbrothers, Collin (Hillary) Barron and Justin (Leanna) Barron.

Sean Christopher Barry, 47, was born in Manhasset, New York, on Oct. 26, 1974, to John and Elizabeth Barry. Sean earned his Bachelor of Science in geography from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He worked for Red Dog Mine in water treatment in Northern Alaska. Sean's adventurous spirit fueled his travel wanderlust as a young man backpacking through Europe at 18. By 40 he had traveled to six out of seven continents. Never failing to mention he went to Antarctica ... twice. He made Alaska his home base for 20 years before relocating to Duluth. He was wickedly smart, quick witted, a furious reader, a lover of a good brew, and an even better debater. Above all else, he loved being the father of two exceptional girls. Sean was preceded in death by his father, John, and brother, Jae. Sean is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Barry; sister, Katie Barry; brothers, Timothy (Ina) Barry and Brian (Heidi) Barry; sister-in-law, Nicolle Barry; and nieces and nephews Mya, Graham, Phillip, Judy, Nicky, Olivia, Cordelia, Sebastian, Boyd and Caspian James.

The families welcome the public to join us in celebrating their lives. A public memorial event for the Barry Family will be held at the Georgeson Botanical Garden pavilion at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2022. In remembrance of their legacy, contributions may be made to the Fairbanks Children's Museum's Barry family endowment at gofund.me/9e1aaca7.