Catherine “Ann” Mohardt Barry, who was known as Ann, died Friday, April 18, 2025, at 84 years old in Liberty, Texas, her home of 39 years. Ann’s generous spirit, inexhaustible kindness, and dry humor will be remembered by those who loved her, especially those who knew her as Mom, Grandma, Auntie, or had the good fortune to call her friend.
Born in Detroit, Michigan on July 25, 1940, the middle of three girls, she grew up with an insatiable appetite for reading and a love of learning that she kept through her entire lifetime. After marrying David John Barry on August 10, 1962, Ann completed her bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University. In the years following, Ann and Dave were blessed with eight children and lived in eight different states in their 46 years of marriage.
As a military spouse, decades of Ann’s life were dedicated to making sure everyone had what they needed and got where they needed to be while Dave was on deployment. After Dave retired to a civilian job and the house started to empty, Ann threw herself into volunteering with literacy programs, including teaching adults to read and working with English as a second language students. In more recent years, Ann loved spending time with her Lost Arts Club at Liberty Municipal Library and volunteering to help with book sales with the Friends of the Library.
Ann’s children will never forget when she called to say she had won a science fiction costume contest (as she wasn’t one for dressing up). When asked what her costume was, she said “I wore my regular clothes but clipped an index card on my shirt that said ‘innocent alien abduction victim.’”
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, David John Barry, her mother, Aileen Ross Mohardt, her son Shaun Joseph Barry, and her grandson Kenneth David Barry.
She is survived by her children, Aldis Barry, Patrick Barry and wife Fran, Elaine Barry and husband David Rabel, Ian Barry and wife Tiffany, Colleen Barry-Goodman and husband Craig Goodman, Catherine Barry and husband Michael Curtiss, Daniel Barry, and her sisters Mary Bergeski and Patricia Lyle. She also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with rosary services at 6 p.m., Thursday, at the Allison Funeral Service Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ann’s honor to Liberty Municipal Library or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty