Patricia Barry of Seattle, Washington, died at her Madrona home on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at the age of 71. Surrounded by family and close friends, Pat passed away after a long illness, peacefully under the care of family and hospice.
Born in Washington, DC in 1946 to Merry Beth Eskridge and John Gordon Barry Jr., she was the oldest of three children in a military family.
Patricia (“Pat,” “Patty,” “Patti Bourgeois,” “Mummers”) moved to Seattle in 1976 where she left an indelible mark as an entrepreneur. A renowned cook, pastry chef, chocolatier, social advocacy writer and glass artist, Pat co-founded the Coffee House at the Conscious Exchange and, later, the still popular Hi Spot Cafe.
Her impact on the Seattle arts community is remembered through various Bumbershoot installations, and her 10 years working as an architectural glass artist. For many years a social justice advocate for Seattle workers, Pat’s achievements included the creation of Community Voice Mail at the Community Technology Institute (CTI); in a time long before cell phones, she took her Voicemail for the Homeless project around the country, educating and empowering communities.
Patricia is survived by her two daughters, Ardis Henson and Hannah Jones, her brother John Gordon Barry III, her sister Laura Barry and her 3 grandsons, John, Joe and Desmond.
Pat will be remembered most for her many deep friendships, her loving strength, unwavering courage, voracious appetite for reading, her honesty and ceaseless dedication to high principles. She was a fierce leader, champion of feminist and social justice causes, radical leftie and pioneer.
Pat was fond of saying “it is your right and duty to wake up angry every day!” And then harness this anger for positive change. This is how Pat lived her life; she was a fighter to the end. She was a beautiful sight to behold and sought out the beauty in others. She will be greatly missed .
In lieu of flowers, Pat asked that donations be made to Planned Parenthood.
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