Norma Y. Barry

Norma Irene Young Barry, 84 years young, of La Jolla, CA, died on September 9 just after sunset at LakeView Home, Sharp HospiceCare, La Mesa, CA. She lived with her daughter in La Jolla where she had recently moved from her home in Marshfield, MA. Norma was the beloved wife of the late Paul W. Barry, treasured sister “Sis” of the late Maj.Gen. James A. Young (Ret. USAF) and the late Gardiner Roy Young. She is survived by her only child, Michele, of La Jolla, in whose life she leaves a gap that can never be filled. Born in Waterbury, CT on July 2, 1929, she later moved to Newtonville, MA, where she graduated high school. Norma was an independent woman and free spirit, well before it was fashionable. While working at the Boston Herald Traveler, she met her husband Paul. He was too shy to ask her out, and after months of waiting, she found herself in the elevator with him. She took matters into her own hands (or feet!) and stepped “accidentally” on his instep. And the rest, they say, is history. While her interests included reading, music and art appreciation, her greatest love was her family and friends. She was the “cool” mom and a second mother to her daughter’s friends. Following her husband’s death in 1992, she formed her most precious friendship with a neighbor’s toddler, Sarah, who graduated from Merrimac College this past spring. An unselfish and giving woman by nature, she was warm and loving to all who knew her. She lived by her own rules, but respected others’. Her greatest gift—there are too many to list—was her ability to accept everyone for who they were, no matter the circumstances. For several years she was a teacher’s aide at the South River Elementary School and volunteered much of her time tutoring underprivileged children at the Daniel Webster Elementary School and Carolina Hill Homeless Shelter. Determined to live a meaningful life, Norma was involved in Marshfield Community Christmas and the Marshfield Food Bank for many years. At age 70, she started working at Barnes & Noble—her favorite job ever. Her positive attitude and ability to laugh no matter how grim the outlook, made Norma a joy to be around—the most beautiful ray of light on even the darkest of days. She gave unsparingly of herself and was a mom until, literally, the last second of her life. Visitation is at the Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Rd., Scituate, MA, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-4pm. Funeral services are at the First Congregational Church, Marshfield, MA, Monday, Sept. 16. At 10AM (Please bring a favorite memory or reading to share.) Burial is at Couch Memorial Cemetery, Marshfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Norma’s memory to the Marshfield Food Pantry and MAIL it to P.O. Box 1097, Marshfield, MA 02050.