Ann Baker Barry

Ann Baker Barry, 80, passed away peacefully with her children by her side on October 19, 2026, in Highlands Ranch, CO, from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. Anyone who knew Ann knew a woman of elegance, humor, and unshakable devotion to her family, and a home and children that were always, always in order.

Ann was born on August 5, 1946, in New Rochelle, NY, to Charles Emerson Baker and Nancy Worthington Baker. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 56 years, Stephen Cronin Barry, Sr.; and her firstborn, Patrick Keating Barry, who passed away at birth. She is survived by her sister, Joan Sengewalt, and her family; her three children and eight grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

In the 8th grade, Ann’s best friend, Janie, introduced her to Steve Barry, and they were sweethearts from that day on. They married in 1967. While Steve served in Vietnam, Ann kept those dirty army base homes clean. When he came home with injuries from the war, she became the best nurse he could have asked for. After a few years in Texas and North Carolina, they headed west to California to raise their young family, first in Menlo Park, where together they ran a property management company called Cronin & Baker. Then, a move to Redding made Ann the wife of a marina owner. This was no small feat for a woman who absolutely hated to swim. She took on life at Holiday Harbor on Lake Shasta with good humor, and tremendous support and devotion to her husband and family. They retired in Mt. Shasta and Palm Desert, CA. In her most recent years since Steve’s passing, Ann made her home in Highlands Ranch, CO, to be near her family. In every house, she made a home. A beautiful, well-kept, immaculate home.

Ann was a loving mother to her daughters, Elizabeth Barry Johnson and her husband, Andrew Johnson, of Sacramento, CA; Erin Barry Raleigh and her husband, Matthew Raleigh, of Englewood, CO; and her son, Stephen Cronin Barry, Jr., and his wife, Lea Marie Barry, of Arvada, CO. She was the quintessential class mom, always volunteering, and she even led the elementary school yearbook club, back when yearbooks were a true cut-and-paste job with scissors and glue. Her eight grandchildren, Taylor, Kelsey, Kiernan, Cole, Liam, Ryan, Quinn, and Reese, were her greatest joy. She was a fixture at all their sports, concerts, and performances.

Ann’s home was her masterpiece. She had an extraordinary eye for design and a standard of tidiness that her children still talk about. She made sure the kids cleaned their rooms well before the cleaning lady arrived, and she was incredibly good at ironing their t-shirts. Then there was “the white room,” the pristine, strictly off-limits living room reserved for the occasional cocktail party. Kids in the neighborhood all knew the rule: don’t get caught in there.

Ann loved to play golf and tennis, and in her later years she watched tennis habitually. She was also an avid fan of Days of Our Lives; we don’t think she ever missed a day of that show. And let’s definitely not forget that she is also preceded in death by her beloved morkie dog, Ciara. She absolutely loved that dog.

Ann’s grace, humor, and love will live on in her family and friends. We will miss her more than words can say, and we will keep our homes immaculate in her honor, at least for company.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.