Sandra Jeanne (Veenboer) Barry

Sandra Jeanne Barry, 87, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Sandra was born in Grand Rapids, MI, the daughter of the late Elbert L. and Jennifer Lois (Burton) Veenboer.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Robert R. Barry of Westborough, their children, William Barry and his wife Sarah of Marlborough, Susan Benigno and her longtime partner Michael Nelson of Westborough, Robert Barry of SD, Christopher Barry and his wife Irene of CO and Jane Barry of AZ (wife of Roger Barry), 6 grandchildren, Colin, Douglas, Roger, Brandon, Tammi and Angela, 10 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, a sister Mary Kay Mauldin and her husband Lance of CA, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Sandra was predeceased by her first son Roger Barry and stepdaughter Pamela Morris. 

Sandra grew up in Michigan and southern California. She played in tennis tournaments on the west coast and western Canada in high school and college, winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles championships. She attended the University of Arizona and received her Bachelor of Arts in Education. Throughout college she worked as a commercial artist.

She was an elementary school teacher in southern California and Michigan before moving to Vermont. After marrying her second husband Robert, Bill and Susan were born in Brandon. Sandra and Robert worked together to renovate several homes. In the mid-1970s, the family moved across the country to Arizona. Sandra worked for the Tucson Police Department and became the chief bailiff of the Tucson City Court. In the mid-1980s, the family moved back to New England. In New Hampshire, Sandra worked as a bailiff for Nashua District Court and a dispatcher for the Manchester Police Department. They then moved to Essex, VT.  

In the mid-1990s, despite a recent diagnosis of breast cancer, Sandra travelled to Italy where she and her daughter bonded over life-affirming experiences. Upon her return, she received treatment and emerged a proud survivor.

After Robert’s retirement in the late 1990s, they moved to Smith Mountain Lake, VA, and constructed a new home. In 2006 they moved to Topsham, ME, to be closer to their children in Massachusetts. In 2023 they moved to Hudson, and then Westborough.  

In Vermont, Sandra returned to doing the art she loved, watercolor painting and pastel drawings. She studied watercolor painting with a number of Vermont and Maine artists.  She attended workshops in Gloucester, MA, and Monhegan Island, ME. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Vermont Artists Association, president of the Essex, VT Art League and the Casco Bay Art League. Sandra’s paintings are in the permanent collection at the Thornton Oaks Retirement Community in Brunswick, ME, and most recently were on display at The Highlands in Westborough.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 4:00 pm at Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main St., Marlborough, MA. Visitation will be prior to the service from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

A private burial will take place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of these charities: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, UMass Chan Medical School, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Dartmouth Cancer Center

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