Obituary of Patricia Anne Barry
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. The sunshine warm upon your face. The rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again May God hold you in the hallow of his hand. A little Irish girl Patrcia Anne Evans was born on St. Patricks Day March 17, 1930. Patricia arrived to Millard and Martha Evans in Tum, WA on a bright and sunny morning. The family moved to Spokane WA when Patti was 2 years old. She went to many different schools, she attended JJ Brown, Franklin, Audubon, Adams, and Glenrose grade schools. She moved to St. Maries, ID and a year at Jefferson City MO. She returned to St. Maries, ID to finish school. While there she was a member of the National Honor Society, and placed second in the nation in a Latin Society test. She always majored in English and loved music. She sang for many weddings, funerals, and sang in a band that played for local dances. She attended a music camp at the University of Idaho in Moscow ID where she won a scholarship for music. She was a classically trained vocalist. While in high school she was very active in many clubs and on the staff for the school paper. She had the nick-name "Sunny" for her bright smile. One of her first jobs growing up after her parents were divorced and her brother was supporting her and her mother she was sent to work on a farm she was to help the farmer's wife with cooking and cleaning for the whole summer. She didn't see her mom again until the end of summer just before school started. She had never been away from home and it was a long lonely summer. When she got home in early fall she handed over her pay to her mom and brother and she was proud of what she had accomplished. Later while in high school she worked at the First Bank of St. Maries. She was chosen as the very first Miss Benewah in 1948. In 1949 she married Warren L. Barry her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. They resided in St. Maries Where Red worked in the woods then moved to Bremerton WA where Red worked in the ship yards. They settled in Spokane, WA in 1952. She attended Spokane Community College then worked for the Spokane Seed Co. as executive secretary for PC Johnstone, she was there for 27 years where she finished her career as Assistant Sales Manager to Mr. Pete Johnston. She loved kitties and had many of them through the years Tony, Tom & Jerry, and Lil-Girl were her favorites. She gave to many charities supporting animals and little children and veterans-her heart always giving. She wrote stories about Kitties and some were even published. She and Warren had 4 children, Rick Barry, Tamara (Marc) Richert, Shannon (Richard) Southwick, and David (Gini) Barry. They had 3 granddaughters Lisa, Heidi, Nicolle (Hector Valazquez) and 2 great grandchildren December Velazquez and Matthew. She is preceded in death by her husband and her parents, sisters Georgia Watkins, Lucille Feazelle, and brothers Archie Evans and Ellsworth Evans. Her devotion to God and his teachings was of the most important thing to her. She and Warren were members of the Fourth Memorial Church of Spokane and the church at Araby Acres Park in Yuma Az. After retiring they enjoyed many years at their lake cabin on Lake Coeur d' Alene and traveling in the RV and seeing the country. Warren never let the grass grow under their feet too long and they were on the road again. They did settle in Yuma AZ for several years where they loved the warmth and friendship. She sang in the Araby Park Chorale Group and wrote many articles for the park newspaper. Mom wanted to convey that much praise and acknowledgement to her 2 daughters and sons-in-law as they were the guiding factor in Patricia's and her husband's lives. Especially after Warren's death in 2011 they were her constant source of love and support. It has been a journey for us all since Dad's passing but we promised Dad we would take good care of Mom and now we hand the torch back to Dad. God Bless you both Mom and Dad. We are sad that you are gone but so glad you lived. Read Patricia Barry's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.