Ellen “Ellie” A. Barry, age 63, of Pinckney, MI passed away peacefully with her family by her side at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, MI in the early hours of Sunday, May 7, 2023, after a long, well fought battle against cancer.
Ellie was born in Detroit, MI on January 11, 1960. She grew up in Ohio until 1983 when she returned to Michigan where she would reside for the remainder of her life. Ellie worked in the IT business after graduating from Akron University in 1982. She continued her career in IT at Dawn Food Products in Jackson, MI for the past 22 years. She was a strong programmer, manager, and great teammate. Ellie was a creative soul who loved to craft, bake, and puzzle. She was known for organizing Christmas cookie making parties where she would make her famously good horseshoe cookies, along with a dozen other types of baked goods. She enjoyed spending time outside, being on the water, sitting in the sun, and listening to music, always with a smile on her face. She was a strong woman who overcame losing her hearing in one ear as a child due to Scarlet Fever, enduring years of surgeries from Rheumatoid Arthritis beginning in her early 20’s, and cancer for the past 13 years. She never complained, ever. Ellie kept living and helping those around her in life. Ellie battled through all hardships fearlessly.
Ellie found her soulmate, David Barry, in 2013 and were married on October 13, 2018. They had 10 amazing years together. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, John “Hap” and Mary Healy, and sister, Jenny Healy. She is survived by her beloved husband, David Barry of Pinckney; her two sons, Joseph and Paul Casari of Manchester, MI; sisters, Sue (Tim) Farris of Massillon, OH, Patty Healy of Fort Myers, FL, and brother, Steve (Paula) Healy of Dexter, MI; stepmother, Jane Healy of Canton, OH; stepsons, Matthew (Heather) Barry, Peter (Kate) Barry, and stepdaughter, Cleo Barry; first husband, John Casari; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and her loving dog, Ziggy.
Ellie gave in death, just as she gave in life. Ellie was able to act as an organ donor and provide the gift of sight to someone through eye donation with Eversight eye bank.
Visitation will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home located at 901 N. Main Street, Chelsea, MI 48118.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
Gifts in memory of Ellie may be designated to The University of Akron’s organization, “Women in IT Security.” Checks can be made payable and sent to the University of Akron, Department of Development, 375 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44325-2603.
Arrangements made by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
