Denise C. Barry

Denise C. Barry, Ed.D, of East Chatham, a long-time educator, parish leader and former Chatham Central School District Board member, died suddenly at her home on February 1. She was 79.

Born in NYC on Oct. 10, 1946, the daughter of the late Donald and Clara (nee Gerity) Barry, Denise was raised on the Barry Farm in East Chatham and attended local schools. A 1964 graduate of Chatham High School, she earned a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Education from The College of St. Rose, and a Doctoral Degree in Education from the State University of New York in Albany. (One of Denise's proudest moments occured at her doctoral graduation when Governor Mario Cuomo presented her diploma while declaring "Let me be the first to call you Dr. Barry").

For more than forty years, Denise taught special education in the Hudson City Schools; moreover, she spent over thirty years in administrative and teaching positions during summer school sessions at local correctional facilities. She was also elected to the Board of Education in Chatham where she served for several years.

A life-long communicant of St. James Parish in Chatham, Denise was a Trustee of the church and served in many leadership positions including as Outreach Coordinator. In this capacity, Denise led the church's effort to provide for individuals and families in need, particularly at Christmas. Hundreds of area children received gifts over the years through "The Giving Tree," a program for which she paved the way.

Denise was appointed to the Board of Directors of COARC in 1972, and was the board's longest, continuously serving member. She was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities for Columbia and Greene Counties in 2004. Her leadership and volunteerism were recognized through numerous honors including, in 2006, the People Making a Difference award from the Zonta Club of Upper Hudson Valley--a commendation she shared with Benita Zahn and Kirsten Gillibrand; and the Jefferson Award for Volunteerism in the Capital District in 2010.

While her professional and civic accomplishments were many, Denise's most cherished ties were with her family. She leaves her brother Eugene M. Barry of East Chatham; three nephews, Donald (DJ) Barry with whom she made her home, Daniel Barry and his wife Kerianne of Wilmington, MA, and Stephen Barry and his wife Jessica of Albany. She is also survived by five (great) nieces and nephews, Keira, Alice, Eoghan, Charlotte and Calvin, and many, many devoted friends.

Friends and family will gather for a viewing at 10:00 am on Tuesday February 10th at St. James Catholic Church at 117 Hudson Ave. in Chatham, NY, to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Refreshments will be served thereafter in the basement of the church for those wishing to share their stories and memories of Denise. Arrangements have been entrusted to French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to bring school supplies to the service. (This is National School Supplies Week, a cause dear to Denise). Also, a donation St. James Catholic Church is always most deeply appreciated.