Obituary of Leona Barry

Chatham - Leona Barry died on Saturday October 31, 2009 at Overlook Hospital in Summit after a short illness. She was 96. Born in West Orange to the late Walter and Elizabeth (Gottheiner) Williamson on April 17, 1913 and one of eleven children, she was a resident of Chatham Township for three years. Previously, she had been a resident of several towns, including Mendham, Spring Lake and Lakewood NJ. She attended St. Joseph's R. C. Church in Mendham for many years with her late husband James T. Barry who died in 1968. Mrs. Barry had been employed by the Mendham Library and was a real estate sales agent for several years. She also volunteered for many organizations, including Washington Headquarters Museum and Morristown Memorial Hospital. Among her many interests were reading, sewing, playing bridge and golf, as well as spending time with family and friends. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son Thomas J. Barry in 1997. Survivors include her sister, June Barrett of Bloomfield; two brothers, Alton Williamson of Naples FL, and Walter Williamson of West Orange; three grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 (973) 543-4720. www.baileyfuneralhomes.com Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-8 PM. A funeral service will celebrate her life at 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Bailey Funeral Home. A private cremation will take place at a later date. Mrs. Barry's cremated remains will be interred in the family plot at the Cold Spring Cemetery in Philipstown New York at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Mendham Library, 10 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.