Obituary: Lois Barry, 93, Formerly Of Guilford

This obituary is provided courtesy of the Guilford Funeral Home.

Lois Barry, age 93, died peacefully on May 2, 2020 at The Hearth at Tuxis Pond in Madison, CT with her children by her side.

Born in Buffalo, New York on September 25, 1926, Lois was the only child of Charles and Alice Betts and grew up in the same city with her parents and beloved grandparents. She attended Edgewood Park Junior College, in Briarcliff Manor, NY, graduating in 1946. She relished her work as a secretary at Columbia Medical School and for the Stuart D. Burt Company in Guilford, manufacturer and distributor of the Blo-Poke fireplace instrument, for 25 years, retiring in 1993. She enjoyed relating stories about royalty ordering Blo-Pokes for their “castles” and delighted in recounting the story of speaking with Peter Jennings about an order. Lois was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Jack Barry, who died in 2000. Together they raised 5 children. Lois lived in Guilford, CT for 49 years, from 1963 to 2012, before moving to The Hearth in Madison, CT. She and Jack enjoyed time in Fort Myers, Florida each winter for a number of years.

Lois was an avid bridge and duplicate bridge player. She and Jack hosted many festive bridge parties at their home in Guilford and developed great friendships with a number of local couples. Lois enjoyed golf, social gatherings, the beach, dancing, and family get-togethers, and she could cook a mean roast, to which her children will attest! Lois will also be remembered for her quick humor, pointed and funny comments, and singing somewhat racy songs on occasion! She enjoyed social occasions of all kinds throughout her life.

Lois is survived by her children, Stephen Barry of Easthampton, MA; Priscilla Kimball and husband Don of Concord, NH; Pat O’Quinn and husband Ron of Surf City, NC; Susan Adams and husband Bill of Willimantic, CT; and Janet Barry and partner Tim Lewis of Jamaica Plain, MA, as well as grandchildren Shaun Barry and wife Trish, and Cristin Lawson, and great-grandchildren Samantha, Alexandra, Joshua and Aileen.

A private service will be held at St. George Cemetery in Guilford, CT at the convenience of the family and a celebration of life memorial service will be held at a future date.

The family expresses many thanks to the staff at The Hearth at Tuxis Pond for its kind care and support in Lois’ last years.

In lieu of flowers, please spend some time with an older person who would love some company, a chance to tell some stories, and perhaps to sing a few old songs together.

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