Barbara Barry, 89, of Keene, New Hampshire, died peacefully on October 30, 2026, following a lengthy period of declining health.

Barbara was born on March 10, 1937, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Benjamin Franklin Brewer and Dorothy (Roth) Brewer. She was the oldest of five children, with her lovely sisters Joanne, Martha, and Mari, and her dear brother, Serious. Although her family moved frequently during her early years because of her father's work with the Department of Agriculture, Barbara spent most of her youth in Arlington, Virginia, where she graduated from Washington & Lee High School.

Barbara was creative from an early age and enjoyed participating in theater. She was particularly grateful that her mother enrolled her in art classes, nurturing a passion that would remain an important part of her life. She also loved Girl Scouts and was proud to have been selected as one of two representatives from Virginia to attend an annual Girl Scout Jamboree in Montana.

A speedy typist, Barbara held a variety of secretarial positions over the years, including serving as secretary to the Provost at Catholic University. She also waitressed, modeled, and taught at a modeling school in Washington, D.C. It was while waitressing in Washington that she met Furman H. Riley Jr., whom she married in 1960.

Barbara and Furman had one daughter, Rebecca (Becky). Barbara loved being a mother, but following her divorce from Furman in 1970, she struggled with depression. She worked as a secretary while also attending school to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. When balancing work, school, and motherhood became too challenging, she made the difficult and loving decision for Furman to have custody of Becky. Despite this change, Barbara and Becky remained close throughout the years.

For many years, Barbara, Furman, and Becky attended Fairfax Unitarian Church, where their shared faith and community helped keep them connected through challenging times.

In 1984, Barbara married Thomas Barry; they later divorced in 1996. In the years that followed, Barbara lived either near her sister Joanne in Richmond, Virginia, or near Becky and her husband, Ken Poor, in Connecticut, Michigan, and New Hampshire. The family is deeply grateful for the loving support Joanne and her husband Waverly provided Barbara over the years.

For the past four years, Barbara lived near Becky and Ken in Keene, first at Langdon Place of Keene and later at Maplewood. The family is extremely thankful for the wonderful care Barbara received in both communities. The skilled nursing staff at Maplewood, along with the support of HCS, was instrumental in keeping Barbara comfortable and cared for during the closing chapter of her life.

One of the true blessings of Barbara's later years was the peace and joy she found as she renewed her passion for art. Her talented and generous sister, Mari Gruber, inspired Barbara to begin painting again and encouraged her to offer art classes in her senior living community. Mari shared teaching tips and generously provided Barbara with many art supplies. Barbara delighted in teaching fellow residents at Langdon Place and had hoped to do the same at Maplewood, but her health declined too quickly. Even in her final weeks, however, painting continued to bring her comfort.

Throughout her life, Barbara treasured her relationships with family and friends. She had a hearty laugh, a spicy sense of humor, and an eye for beauty in the world around her. She found immense joy in creating beauty through her art, a gift she continued to share with others throughout her life.

Barbara is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Ken Poor; her grandchildren, Emily, and Ben (Megan) Poor; her great-grandson, Johnny; her sisters, Joanne Winn, and Martha Lawson; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her dear brother, Serious Israel, and her beloved sister, Mari Gruber.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene, New Hampshire. The service will be available both in person and via livestream.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Barbara's memory to the Mari Gruber Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation.

Assisting with arrangements is the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, Brattleboro. To view Barbara’s online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.