Name: Visitation for Eleanor Sullivan Barry
Start: 2022-05-13T14:30:00.000Z
End: 2022-05-13T15:30:00.000Z
Location: St. Patrick's Parish

BARRY

ELEANOR SULLIVAN BARRY (Age 83)

Eleanor Sullivan Barry died on May 5, 2022 of complications from heart failure in Rockville, MD. She was 83 years old.

Elly was born in Bloomfield, NJ on June 29, 1938 to William L. and Louise Q. Sullivan. The youngest of five children, she enjoyed spending time on the Jersey shore during the summer and trips in the car to Cleveland, OH to visit relatives. She remained close to her brothers and sisters all her life, especially her dear "Irish twin" sister Louise (Weezy).

Elly met the love of her life, Mike, on a blind date in 1959 while attending The College of New Rochelle. Mike was the oldest of 14 children, so it must have been daunting when she went home with him to meet his family for the first time! Elly and Mike married in June 1963 while Mike attended medical school at the State University of New York in Syracuse. After medical school, Mike joined the U.S. Army. Over the course of Mike's 30 year career as an Army surgeon, Mike, Elly, and their four children lived in Texas (San Antonio and El Paso); Bloomfield, NJ; Denver, CO; West Point, NY; San Francisco, CA; Tacoma, WA; and Rockville, MD. Elly, Mike, and their family embraced military life and formed lasting friendships with military colleagues and their families everywhere they landed. Elly and Mike became famous for their St Patrick's Day parties. A fabulous cook, Elly cooked a traditional Irish meal while Mike prepared a "quiz" for guests to guess the names of famous Irish celebrities.

Elly was an artist who painted beautiful oil and watercolor portraits and landscapes wherever she went. While living in San Francisco, Mike frequently commissioned her to paint a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge as a gift for friends and colleagues. In Rockville, her home for most of the last 40 years, she painted pictures of her Flower Valley neighborhood friends' houses.

Elly volunteered with the American Red Cross at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. She was a parishioner at St Patrick's Parish in Rockville where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. She had wonderful friends in Flower Valley and remained active in various groups – book club, garden club, red hats – and enjoyed frequent gatherings with friends.

Elly's husband Mike passed away in December 2001. She is survived by her children: Kevin (Ginny) Barry, Paul (Judy) Barry, Amy (Olsen) Houghton, and Michael (Michelle) Barry. She was grandmother to 12 grandchildren: Jack (Sophie) Barry, Molly Houghton, Erin Barry, Caitlin Houghton, Caroline Barry, Colin Barry, Megan Barry, Brendan Barry, Ryan Barry, Brady Barry, Teegan Barry, and Sean Barry. She is also survived by her brother Frank (Judy) Sullivan and her sister Louise (George) Shepherd; and many loving nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marjorie Sullivan, and her brother Bill Sullivan.

Elly will be greatly missed by many, but we are grateful for the love and care she shared with us over many years.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 13, 2022 at St. Patrick's Parish in Rockville, MD with a Mass of Christian Burial taking place immediately thereafter . Internment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Patrick's Catholic School, Rockville, MD (stpatrickadw.org). Arrangements by Cole Funeral Services.

www.colefuneral.com

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Published by The Washington Post on May 8, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Eleanor Barry

3 Entries

Mike and Robin Davidson

November 3, 2022

I worked with Dr Mike Barry at Walter Reed from 1994 until his passing. I remember a few social events with Mrs. Barry there, probably Christmas or New Years, and maybe a military function or two. She was so very dignified in her presentation while warm and friendly, and I couldn´t help but think she could share great tales of the adventures they had in military medical service together. Our condolences to the Barry family.

Susan Dyke

May 11, 2022

I have been privileged to know Elly for 67 years and was with her when she met Mike. We were both art majors at the College of New Rochelle and have kept in close touch for all these years. She was a loving, caring and creative person and I loved her very much and will miss her terribly. My prayers and sympathy are with her family. I know she and Mike are together again in Heaven.