Florence Noonan Barry

Asheville, North Carolina – Florence Noonan Barry, 89, passed away peacefully in Asheville, North Carolina on August 22, 2024, surrounded by family. Born in Brooklyn, NY to the late John Noonan and Mary Burnette Noonan, she was a lifelong student and lover of learning. She graduated high school from Fontbonne Hall and later, while raising a family, earned an associate’s degree from Rockland Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Dominican College of Blauvelt. 

Her early passion for education led her to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher, earning her teaching credentials and two master’s degrees, one in education and a second in early childhood development from Manhattanville College. 

As a 2nd grade teacher at Little Tor Elementary in New City, NY, and later at Lakewood Elementary in Rockland County, NY, she taught children with learning disabilities for more than 22 years. She found great reward in seeing her students around town years later, hearing about their accomplishments and knowing she had a small part in their success. Many of them shared with her that she had been their favorite teacher.

Outside of the classroom, Florence was a student of world affairs. She was an avid reader, consuming the entirety of The New York Times daily, and enjoyed discussing current events around the dinner table, always quoting the “The Times.” 

“The Times” could only take her so far in her pursuit of knowledge. Florence traveled far and wide with her husband of 57 years and the love of her life, Arthur. When asked recently about her favorite travel destination she said wistfully, “Oh that would have to be Paris.” She particularly loved to explore Europe’s many churches and cathedrals.

But her love of the sights and sounds of the world was not to be outmatched by her passion for food and dining. It was a lifelong pursuit of hers – from Art collecting quarters in a glass piggy bank in the 60s and 70s to afford a nice restaurant, to fine dining and a Broadway show in the “Big Apple” during the 80s and beyond.

An appreciation for food and travel was something she passed onto her children and grandchildren. Above all, she loved being "Nana” to her three grandchildren and enjoyed spending her time exposing them to the rich experiences the world has to offer.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Joseph Barry of Commerce City, Michigan; her daughter, Gail Barry Hughes of Hollywood, Florida; her son, David Michael Barry of Asheville, North Carolina; her sister, Bernadette Clifford of Jackson, New Jersey; her grandchildren, Billy Hughes, CB Barry and Jillian Barry Hughes; and her great-grandchildren, Cody Barry, Jake Barry and Kate Barry Hughes. Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur S. Barry, 12 brothers and sisters. 

A memorial service will be held at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 72 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28804, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 2:30 PM. Florence will then be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch Street, Asheville, NC 28801, and interred with Arthur’s ashes. The couple will be reunited again in death, after their 57 years of life together.

Streaming Services are available on St. Eugene website under Live Mass. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org or the Arthritis Foundation, https://www.arthritis.org.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving the Barry family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.