OBIT: Mary Barry, 89, Devoted Volunteer, “Matriarch” of Her Neighborhood

Mary E. (O’Connor) Barry, 89 years young, of Watertown, MA, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025.

Beloved wife of the late Edward F. Barry Jr. Loving mother to Edward F. Barry III and his wife Marjorie (Marguerite) of Windsor Locks, CT, Patricia A. Barry of Atyrau, Kazakhstan, Patrick C. O’Connor and his partner Eileen Collett of Watertown, Nancy E. Barry of New York, NY, and Susan M. Barry of Arlington, MA. Dearest Nana to Matthew M. Barry of Windsor Locks, CT, and Charlotte Hannah Barry of Brooklyn, NY. Mary is the cherished sister to John J. O’Connor and his wife Ellen, of Newton, MA, Robert J. O’Connor of Palmetto Bay, FL, and Edward P. O’Connor of Pinecrest, FL. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews and many cousins here and abroad.

Mary was a resident of Watertown her entire life. Her contributions to the Watertown community were numerous and significant. She was a Watertown Parent Teacher Association member for 20 years, seeing her five children succeed through the Watertown Public Schools. Mary was an essential volunteer to the Watertown Food Pantry for over 25 years. She has made the food pantry her charity of choice and has seen her many friends and admirers donate thousands of dollars to this worthy cause. Mary’s children and grandchildren have all volunteered their services at the food pantry, and most importantly, she has instilled in them the importance of volunteerism. She was the reigning matriarch of her East End neighborhood. Mary was always visible, as a dog walker, gardener, and local historian.

Mary served the Sacred Heart Parish community for over 60 years. As a congregant her entire adult life, as a Eucharistic minister, and long serving volunteer for the parish’s annual bazaar. Mary staffed the raffle prize table and donated many of the prizes. She personally made a quilt each year to raffle off as a fundraiser. Her proudest contribution was baking hundreds of loaves of Irish breads and pound cakes for the bake sale. Her contributions resulted in thousands of dollars in benefits to her Sacred Heart Parish.

As an election worker in Watertown’s Precinct 3, Mary advanced to the position of Elections Warden, a position she performed for many years. Mary was proud to always be one of the first precincts to report for the vote turn in, which was always accurately 100% accounted for. Mary served in many other roles in our community: a Watertown Town Meeting Member, a volunteer with the Multi-Service Center, a Brownie Girl Scout leader, a reliable driver to transport town residents to the Watertown Senior Center, the Red Hat Ladies, Rummy Cube, Watertown High Class of 1953 luncheons, and numerous other contributions to her beloved hometown of Watertown. Mary’s last but tremendously important contribution is the donation of her brain for scientific research purposes. She participated in Harvard’s Aging Brain Study for the last 17 years. In her own words, “I have a Harvard brain.”

In April of 2025 she was proclaimed a “Watertown Hometown Hero” by the Watertown City Council. At her acceptance speech, she shared “I love Watertown. I grew up in the East End as a child of immigrants. We were able to live the American dream. We all get along in Watertown. I always thought that if the whole world could be like Watertown, there wouldn’t be any wars”.

The family would like to thank the Oncology team at Mt. Auburn Hospital and the Beth Israel Lahey Home Hospice Group for their kind, compassionate care of Mary.

Friends and family are invited to visit the DeVito Funeral Home, 761 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown on Friday, June 20th from 4:00-7:00 pm. Visitation on Saturday is from 10:00-11:00 at DeVito Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 770 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown on Saturday, June 21st at 11:30. A reception will follow the service. The burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s name may be made to the Watertown Food Pantry, 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 or via Zelle to 917-502-1237 or via Venmo to EdwardBarry@delta06. Please include “In Memory of Mary Barry” in the memo/description field.

Please visit devitofuneralhomes.comv to leave an online condolence.