Marilyn Barry, 63, school superintendent, teacher
ALBANY— Marilyn Alice (Pease) Barry enjoyed dinner, laughter, stories and exchanging gifts with her family on Christmas evening. Not long after the guests had departed, a ruptured cerebral aneurysm sent Mrs. Barry to the Albany Medical Center, where her life concluded in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 27. She was 63.
The last evening of her life was filled with the infectious enthusiasm and attention to detail, which typified Mrs. Barry’s life—her gifts were given with song and her cards were adorned with verse.
Born August 14, 1948, Mrs. Barry graduated as Valedictorian from Chatham High School in 1965 and summa cum laude with a degree in Latin from Wells College, where she was Phi Beta Kappa in 1969. She subsequently earned master’s degrees from Brown University and the State University of New York at Albany. During the first half of her career, Mrs. Barry taught Latin, English, French and reading. She served afterward as a school psychologist, vice-principal and principal in the Hudson City School District. Ultimately, Mrs. Barry acted as superintendent for the Chatham Central School District before retiring in 2005.
Music was a source of joy in her life. She acted and sang in various school and community dramatic productions and she further supported the arts as president of the Columbia County Council on the Arts. “Grandma’s singing is mesmerizing” reads the caption under a photograph in her granddaughter Kiera’s memory book from this past year, and it was. Mrs. Barry was also an accomplished pianist.
In 1969, she married Eugene M. Barry of East Chatham. Along with her husband, she is survived by: her son, Donald Joseph Barry, her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Daniel, Kerianne and Kiera Barry, her son and his longtime companion, Stephen Barry and Erin Shaw; her sister-in-law, Denise C. Barry; her sister and brother-in-law, Jane and James O’Connor; and her nieces, Mary and Margaret O’Connor. Mrs. Barry was predeceased by her parents, the late Augusta and Horace Pease.
Calling hours are from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, December 31 at Saint James Church, Chatham, funeral services follow at 11 a.m. with burial at Old Chatham Union Cemetery on Shaker Museum Road in North Chatham. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marilyn P. Barry Scholarship Fund at the Chatham Central School District to be administered by the Chatham Retired Teachers Association.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Edward “Archie” Williams, 68, town and village justice, inspiration
ALBANY—Edward J. “Archie” Williams, 68, of Valatie died Wednesday, December 28 at the Albany Medical Center.
Born December 6, 1943, he was the son of the late Jennie Youzwak Williams and Edward P. Williams.
Mr. Williams was an inspirational person, proving he could achieve as much as anyone. He was a respected man with many friends who cared very
deeply for him. He influenced many people who had the same or similar type of disability by inspiring them to deal with their situation and
move forward. He had that gift.
He was employed by the Town of Kinderhook and the Village of Valatie from 1983 to 2011 as town and village justice, a position in which he proudly served until his retirement this past July, due to health reasons.
Mr. Williams was a loving father to Eddie, 45, and a tremendous grandfather to his two beautiful grandchildren, Nicholas, 14, and Nicole, 12.
He is also survived by one brother, Eugene “Pip” Williams and his four sisters, Jeanette Tator, Sheila Usyk, Helen “Chink” Praga and Pauline Hamm. He was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Wheeler.
Calling hours are Tuesday, January 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the St. John the Baptist Church, 1021 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 4, 11 a.m. at the St. John the Baptist Church, Valatie, with the Reverend John Molyn officiating. Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Valatie Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 242, Valatie 12184.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Route 9, Valatie.
Edward Goff, 88, WWII vet, insulator
ALBANY—Edward D. Goff, 88, of Kinderhook died December 27, 2011 at the Stratton Veterans Administration Hospital.
Mr. Goff was a veteran of World War II and an insulator for Local #40.
He is survived by: two sons, Dennis of Kinderhook and Jim (Denise) of Richmond, VA and two grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine.
An informal sharing of memories will take place at 19 Hudson Street, Kinderhook, Thursday, January 5 from 11 a.m. to noon with a service at noon. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 Attn: Gift Processing.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Route 9, Valatie.