Doreen Catherine Barry

After attending post-secondary school at Balfour Tech in Regina Doreen began working at General Motors Acceptance Corp. She returned home to the farm on the weekends and on one particular Sunday commute back to Regina, she met the love of her life, Albert (Bert) Barry.

Doreen and Bert were married in August 1953 and moved to Saskatoon. The two were great partners in life and together they built a family and a business. Barry’s Transport was a successful trucking company where most of their children and some of their grandchildren had worked at some point.

Family was always at the heart of their life and get-togethers were a regular occurrence.

Doreen and Bert’s cabin at Wakaw Lake has been a destination spot for many. Pig roasts, Canada Day relay races, winter shinny, and curling games are some of the fun times remembered there. One Christmas, the cabin famously slept 52 people, and that wasn’t nearly everyone. All together, the Barry’s are quite a bunch! Doreen and Bert always welcomed everyone and were affectionately called ‘Granny & Cubby’ by family and friends alike.

Doreen loved to laugh and had a mischievous spirit, whether it was nighttime ghost pranks, rearranging furniture, or playfully “borrowing” items, which were then wrapped up and re-gifted back to the owner at a later date. She had a vibrant sense of humour.

Doreen volunteered much of her time in the communities in which she belonged. Often the inspiration for her volunteering was her beloved son Russell.

A woman of many talents, Doreen was a golfer who could boast a hole-in-one. She was a creator and a crafter. Some of her projects included stained glass, paverpol, and Christmas decorations, including wooden light posts that she and Bert worked on together. She also contributed beautiful pieces to the Festival of Trees. Doreen was a master quilter and was lovingly working on personalized quilts for each of her 25 great-grandchildren.

Doreen was an enthusiastic supporter of sports, both as a coach and a fan. Whenever possible she could be found at the ball diamonds cheering on the next generation. She was a lifelong fan of the Blue Jays, and also enjoyed watching curling and hockey. For Doreen, nothing would beat a drive through the countryside making connections with beautiful scenery and old farmyards. If you were a farmer, you were her friend.

Doreen was the heart of the family – the rock and the glue. She had just celebrated her 92nd birthday and could still outwit the best of us. She was a faithful servant of God, she was strong, and she was proud of all that she and Bert had created and accomplished in their life together. We know that Bert was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his love, his heart, his Doreen. At last they are together and whole again with Sam and Russell by their side. We are forever grateful to our Granny and Cubby for the Legacy they leave us with.

Doreen was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Bert Barry. Her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lorraine (Alvin) Lechner and Janice (Mel) Haddad. Her daughter Sam Barry, son Russell Barry, and grandson Dillen Barrington.

Left to celebrate her life and legacy are her children Doug (Bernice) Barry, Melanie (Wes) Woods, Janet (Lowell) Haugen, Laurell (Miles) McMillan, Gord (Terri) Barry, Toni (Brian) Bentley, their families (including 16 grandchildren who lovingly called her ‘Wonderful’ and 25 great-grandchildren) and a large community of extended family and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Tuesday June 17, 2025, at St. Philip Neri Parish (1902 Munroe Avenue South), Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers Doreen’s family invite donations to Columbian Industries, Box 548 - 717 1st Ave. S. Cudworth, SK S0K 1BO. Arrangements entrusted to Shane Lilley, Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200. To share memories of Doreen or send condolences please visit www.mourningglory.ca.