Heather was born on December 19, 1972 at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Capt. Thomas A. Barry, USN (Ret.) and Carole Anne Ritch. Her childhood homes included Norfolk, Va., Springfield, Va., Neptune Beach, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Heather has lived in Jacksonville since 1978 and graduated from Fletcher High School with the Class of 1990 and in 1994 earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from the University of North Florida. She was a Vice President in the IT Department for Bank of America. She was a member of St. Andrew's Lutheran By-The-Sea in Jacksonville Beach since 1978.
Heather was a kind and loving person who always had a positive outlook on life. The love of her life was her "miracle baby," Emily Grace born on April 19, 2017. Heather was thrilled that her many years of trying to have a baby were finally rewarded. Her last two years were dedicated to giving Emily all the love she had.
She married Jeremy Santos Antonio on March 20, 1999 in Jacksonville on the banks of the St. John's River. They had 19 wonderful years together with many travels and Disney/Star Wars adventures.
Heather is survived by her husband, daughter, parents, parents-in-law, Armando and Herminia Antonio; sister-in-law, Joyce Antonio Ackerman (Arthur); two nieces, Madison and Madelyn Ackerman; two nephews, Matthew and Mason Ackerman; and many beloved cousins and friends.
Heather will be sorely missed as a devoted mother, loving spouse and a kind-hearted person. She was loved and admired by all who knew her.
Funeral at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 29 at St. Andrew's Lutheran By-The-Sea, 1801 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, September 28 at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. Private interment at Ponte Vedra Valley, Ponte Vedra Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Dr., Ste. 900, Arlington, VA 22202.
