Elaine D. Barry

Elaine D. Barry, 68, peacefully passed away on July 6, 2011, at the Barron Center surrounded by her friends. She was born in Portland, the daughter of William H. Barry, Sr. and Mary E. Maloney Barry. She grew up in and attended South Portland Schools. Elaine was a member of the South Portland High School band where she was the lead drummer, graduating in 1961. In 1971, Elaine received a diploma from Holy Ghost School of Practical Nursing in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She attended Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts and Quincy College in Quincy, Massachusetts. Elaine returned to South Portland, Maine, after the death of her father to care for her mother. Elaine worked as a pediatric nurse for 25 years at Maine Medical Center. She earned a Certificate in Dietary Therapy from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland, Maine. In 1986, Elaine received the Faculty Award in the Honor's program at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. She also received the Ruth V. Conley Scholarship in 1987 and the Alpha Delta Kappa State Scholarship in 1988. In 1989, Elaine graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She had been pursuing her masters in Administration when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was a 16 year survivor. Miss Barry taught at Waterboro Elementary School for 11 years. A communicant of Holy Cross Church, she was active on the Parish Council. Elaine taught CCD at Holy Cross School. She was a member and President of the Women's Visitation Sodality raising funds to benefit the school and church. Elaine served as a Eucharistic Minister, acolyte, T.M. and sang in the Holy Cross Choir. She was predeceased by her mother, father, and brother, William H. Barry, Jr. Elaine is survived by her nieces Susan Hoffman of North Carolina and Maureen Weeks of Scarborough, Maine, and great nieces and nephews Bobby Hoffman, Ryan Hoffman, Katie Hoffman and Katie Pride. Visiting hours will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Sunday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited 8:15 am, Monday, at the chapel, followed by a 9:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, Corner of Broadway Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Barron Center, Resident Recreation and Activities Department, 1145 Brighton Avenue, Portland, ME 04102. Online Condolences for Elaine Barry