Carolyn Estelle (Galba) Barry passed away at home surrounded by family on June 5, 2023, after a series of health challenges.  She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Edward and Estelle Galba on March 2, 1940, but grew up in Paso Robles, California. She graduated with her teaching degree from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California and started teaching at the elementary level.  She married lifelong friend and love of her life, Jim Barry, in 1965.  She and Jim moved to north Houston in the early 1970s and quickly became "naturalized Texans."  Carolyn was an accomplished artist whose works are hanging in many homes in California and Texas. She became a mom in 1973 with the arrival of Colleen. Carolyn devoted the next several years to volunteer work and motherhood before returning to the classroom, first at Greenwood Preschool and then at Theiss Elementary. She impacted countless young lives as a supportive, patient, and creative educator and mentor to younger teachers. Her favorite job was always being a mother to Colleen and then Gigi (grandmother) to Ainsley and Crockett. She was devoted to all of Colleen's activities and embraced her friends as her own. As Gigi, she was fantastic at fun arts & crafts and masterful at disguising learning through exciting activities. Carolyn built an amazing network of friends from so many aspects of her life through her hospitality, humor, and generosity. Her friends loved her dearly for her loyalty and thoughtfulness. She was known by all for her impeccably-timed sneaky sarcasm and self-deprecating humor that she maintained until the very end. Carolyn was a woman of faith who will be missed by so many, but she fought the good fight and has earned her rest.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Jim Barry. She is survived by her daughter, Colleen Ernst and son-in-law John Ernst, and grandchildren Ainsley and Crockett all of Houston, Texas; her sister Sandra Houlding and brother-in-law Robert Houlding of Madera, California; brother-in-law Thomas S. Barry of Huntington Beach, California; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends. The family would also like to thank the beautiful group of caregivers from Happier at Home and her very special friend, Shawn Killalea, who cared for and befriended Carolyn these past several years as her body began to fail her. If you wish to do so, donations may be made in memory of Carolyn to Camp for All-an amazing barrier-free camp facility that the entire Barry-Ernst family has supported for over 25 years. (https://www.campforall.org/donate/).

If you can join us for any of the events to celebrate Carolyn's life, please wear vibrant colors and be comfortable (no suits necessary!). June in Texas is hot, and Carolyn would want everyone to be festive and relaxed!