Ann Marie Barry

The oldest of eight, Ann Marie’s love for family and friends ran deep. Immensely proud of her Irish heritage she could break into Oh Danny Boy on a whim.

With a flare for the dramatic and costumes in her closet, Annie loved tea, art and knitting. A dreamer who felt strong kinship with fairies and leprechauns, she tended to attract angels in perilous times. Competitive and smart, she was known to memorize Trivial Pursuit cards and could tell you as much about serial killers and Vikings as she could about philosophy and art history.

A good sport, Annie loved to laugh, tease, prank and tell jokes. She could talk on the phone for hours; was, at times, painfully honest; knew her limitations; did things her way; and lived life with no regrets.

As tough as she was tender, Ann Marie endured years without treatment or effective medical support, on and off medication, in a time when mental health issues were grossly misunderstood, a point of shame, and seen as a choice rather than physical illnesses. Eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, with tenacity and resolve, Ann Marie sought sobriety, surrounded herself with a great medical team, returned to her loving family, further cultivated deep friendships and created a sense of community.

During the last decade of her life, she purposely rebuilt relationships with Christie Bezaire, her only child, son-in-law D.J. Smith, and grandsons Brock and Mickey - to whom she became a devoted, fabulous and fun Nana.

Feisty and fierce, she lived with passion and purpose; was tiny but mighty; loved movies; and knit beautiful sweaters for her grandsons, nieces and nephews, and the odd lucky chicken. She was a retired nurse, an artist and a dedicated volunteer.

Confident, beautiful and vivacious, Ann Marie was a true 'character' whose presence enriched and enhanced the lives of family and friends.

Ann Marie was a much loved sister to siblings Mary Pat Barry (Paul Bokenfohr), Beth Kroetsch (Paul), Brian Barry (Danielle), Leslie Slattery (Steve), Ken Barry (Magdalena), Kevin Barry (Nancy Promane) and Jamie Barry, and aunt to nieces Sarah Oltman, Amanda Drew, Laura Austin, Bianca Barry, Caitlyne Hawrelak, and Marie Eve, France and Annik Barry; and nephews Andrew, Ian and Thomas Kroetsch, Tyler Barry, and Adam Barry. She will be sorely missed but joyously remembered.

A Memorial Visitation will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022 from 3 to 5 pm at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora.

In tribute to her spirit, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a local mental health organization or Hill House Hospice would be appreciated.