Janet Barry

Janet Barry, 101, of Ladd, passed away peacefully at Manor Court in Peru on Friday, April 24, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.  

Jan was born on February 8, 1925, in Dalzell, Illinois, to John and Minnie (Balma) Bruno, and became the youngest of 6 siblings.  She attended Dalzell Grade School, graduated from Hall High School and worked in the office at Westclox following her graduation.  She married Tobias “Toby” Barry at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Dalzell on June 5, 1948.

The early years of their marriage were happily spent at Notre Dame University, where Toby attended and graduated from law school.  Jan fondly remembered their time at Notre Dame, living on campus in “Vetville”, taking their toddler son, Mark, for many walks around campus, where she would often run into and chat with Notre Dame’s legendary football coach Frank Leahy.

Returning to the Illinois Valley after Notre Dame, the family initially lived in Peru, and subsequently moved to Ladd where they raised their four children, while Toby practiced law, served many years as a State Representative, and later as an Appellate Court Justice.  After her youngest child started attending school, Jan worked many years for Dr. Alejandro Bernal in his Ladd office, serving as his office manager.

Jan was a caregiver, taking care of anyone who needed help, most particularly her two now deceased sons, both of whom were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at early ages.  She devoted herself to making their lives as healthy and comfortable as possible.  She was an excellent cook who incorporated their dietary needs into the family’s meals.  She was involved in all of her children’s school programs and attended all the sporting events of her children and grandchildren.  She was very active in the political campaigns of both her father-in-law and her husband, while working diligently to raise her four children.  Her tireless efforts on behalf of others will be fondly remembered by her family and friends.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Justice Tobias G. Barry, in 2017, and her two sons - Tobias Mark Barry, in 2024, and Daniel Sean Barry, in 2023. She was also predeceased by her parents, John and Minnie Bruno; her in-laws, Tobias and Mary Barry; and her five siblings -John (Mary) Bruno, Minnie (Robert) Grajewski, Thomas (Alberta) Bruno, Antoinette (Melvin) Holman, and Lena Bruno.  She is survived by two children, Patrick (Mary Jo) Barry and Michele (Gilbert) Barattini, both of Peru; a daughter-in-law, Susan Preston of Lafayette, Colorado; her grandchildren, Bianca Barattini (Alexa Morgenroth), Grazio Barattini, Bruno Barattini, Colin Barry, Emma Barattini (Dan Barcelowsky), Owen Barry and Keller Barry; two great grandchildren - Nico and Bloom Barcelowsky, and nieces and nephews. 

Per Jan’s request, cremation rights have been accorded and no funeral services will be held.  A private graveside service will be held at Valley Memorial Park in Spring Valley, Illinois a later date. The Hurst Funeral Home in Ladd has been entrusted with Jan’s arrangements. Remembrances may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, St. Bede Academy/Abbey or to the donor’s choice.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Manor Court in Peru and Vitas Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Jan.

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