Sharon Lee Barry's Obituary
Sharon Lee (Tiger) Barry died quietly on September 29, 2023, after a 15-year battle with multiple myeloma. Sharon was born on December 10, 1941 to Gerald Lee Murphy and Verlie Amber Delaney in Cody, Wyoming. Sharon is survived by her husband Jim; daughters Shawn (m. Brian) of New Rochelle NY and Catherine (m. Tim; Ronan, Maren, Eden) of Chicago IL, and son Michael (m. Gaelle;Zoe) of Weston FL. Sharon is survived by sisters Patricia of La Mesa CA and Kathleen (Jamie, Jason) of Eaton CO, and brother John (m. Dawn; Ryan, Amy, and Michael) of Minot ND. Sharon is also survived by a large extended family, including Sullivans in Casa Grande, and Quigleys and Ryans in Tucson and Phoenix.
Sharon graduated from Dickinson High School in 1959 and attended North Dakota State University in Fargo. Sharon married Bob Haugen in Fargo in 1960, and they had two children, Shawn and Michael. They moved to New York City in 1963. In 1975, she decided she had had enough of NY winters and headed west to make a new start. In 1977, Sharon moved to Tucson and established a life there.
On January 29, 1981, Sharon met Jim Barry at his mother’s funeral, which she had attended because of her friendship with his sister, Kathleen. Sharon and Jim very quickly knew they were meant to be together and married just six months later on July 3, 1981. They celebrated their 42nd anniversary on July 3, 2023.
Sharon pursued tremendously varied passions and jobs over her lifetime: an avid reader with a particular love of Irish fiction; a wonderful artist with a talent for charcoal drawing; and a tremendous crocheter and knitter. A gifted seamstress, as a teen she was making store-bought quality clothing for her siblings; in NYC, even made a custom cape for Marlin Brando to wear in a film. Sharon had a highly attuned sense of style and color and a great appreciation for design and art of all kinds.
In Tucson, Sharon worked as a graphic designer and media director at Old Pueblo Traders / Catalina Advertising, a marketing assistant at Great American Bank, an assistant to former AZ Governor Rose Mofford, a staff member at United Way, and a systems analyst at Pima County.
Here’s what you most need to know about Sharon. In 1993, she was declared legally blind, losing her freedom of mobility, always dependent on Jim or others for transportation. In 2008, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and given five years to live. In 2013, she was diagnosed with stage four kidney disease. In 2018, she was diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart disease. In 2022, she returned from a family gathering in Florida only to be hospitalized with pneumonia. Despite a trail of tribulations that would test Job, Sharon never complained; she never stopped fighting for the chance to continue loving and living for her children and grandchildren; she never stopped yelling at the television whenever Trump or one of his thugs were on.
On August 31, 2023, Sharon was hospitalized with acute respiratory issues. In the hospital, they discovered a mass in her right lung. A biopsy revealed lung cancer, but unfortunately resulted in a partial collapse of her right lung and severe breathing problems. Treating the lung cancer would have required chemotherapy and her failing kidneys required dialysis. Sharon said, “Enough!” she was going home to die under hospice care. The day after she was brought home, Sharon died peacefully with Jim and her children by her side.
Sharon and her family deeply appreciate the care she received at Tucson Medical Center and from Harmony Hospice.
Sharon chose cremation at Evergreen Mortuary. Her immediate family had a small celebration of life at their home and will announce a second larger celebration later, likely in early 2024. In lieu of flowers, Sharon requested any bequests in her honor be made to Doctors without Borders, an organization she believed in strongly.
Any memories, tributes, or condolences are appreciated and welcome; please send to Jim Barry at [email protected] or to 4102 East Paseo Grande, Tucson, AZ 85711
What’s your fondest memory of Sharon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sharon?
Share a story where Sharon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sharon you’ll never forget.
How did Sharon make you smile?