Mary Helen Barry, 70, of Manchester, New Hampshire, passed away on August 11 from complications of her diabetes. She was born on September 17, 1955, to Audrey (Burbank) and John L. Barry Jr. 

Mary graduated from West High School and the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a Master of Education in Elementary Education. She devoted her career to teaching in the Manchester School District. Mary loved her kindergarten students and spent countless hours preparing activities to help each child succeed in the next stage of education. Parker-Varney School benefited greatly from Mary’s energy and dedication. She organized the Fun Fair and directed the yearly talent show and was the only teacher to attend every school event. After retiring, she continued volunteering in the Parker-Varney School library, taught immigrants to read, and worked as a substitute teacher for the Manchester School District.

Mary was passionate about reading biographies. During the summer, she enjoyed relaxing in her backyard after a swim in the pool and rarely missed a day, even if she had to swim after dark. Every Fourth of July, she celebrated with friends over swimming, a cookout, games, and her much-anticipated annual flag cake. Mary loved the Red Sox, the Patriots, and bowling. She excelled at Jeopardy! and trivia. She was an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa education sorority, where she served as altruistic chairperson. The Granite State Cloggers kept her on her toes and enriched her full life. On Sundays, she sang in the St. Raphael’s choir, taught Summer Bible Camp, and took on other responsibilities that were important to her church.

She was predeceased by her sister Margaret (Peggy); Peggy’s husband, Douglas Stewart; great niece Pamela Jean Stewart; her nephew Gary Stewart; and Joan’s husband, Robert Soucy.

Mary is survived by her sister, Joan Soucy; her brother John Barry, his wife, Roberta, and their children, Christopher and Elizabeth; Elizabeth’s husband, Scott, and their daughter, Olivia; her brother Robert Barry and his daughter, Jessica; Jessica’s wife, Anne, and their children, Sawyer and Langley; Peggy and Doug’s children, Carolyn, Marlene, Craig, and David, and their families: Carolyn’s husband, Tom, and their children, Danny and Katie; Marlene’s husband, Quentin, and their children, Lindsay and Stephanie; Craig’s daughter, Jennifer; David’s wife, Jenni, and their children, Audrey and Joshua; and Gary’s daughter, Nora. Her family fondly remembers the annual Yankee Swap, a celebration that often ended with a game of “99,” whose rules Mary carried in her purse.

She treasured many lifelong friendships in Manchester, especially with the Provencher’s, the Duval’s, and the Juneau family, whom she loved as her chosen family. They will deeply miss her generous heart and loving spirit.

A wake will be held on Wednesday, September 16 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 250 Coolidge Avenue, on Manchester’s West Side. A Catholic Mass will be held on Thursday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Raphael Parish, followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Puritan Backroom, where friends are invited to celebrate what would have been Mary’s 71st birthday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.