Coleen Ann Barry

Coleen Ann Barry, 54, died in her sleep Oct. 9, 2011, with her family and husband at her side after a long fight with ovarian cancer at her home in Wasilla.

Colleen was born Dec. 4, 1956, to Patrick Frances and June Elizabeth (Sinclair) Barry in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. She first came to Alaska in 1982. Colleen raised two very hard-working boys of whom she was very proud. She became a nurse in 1994 and had worked at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center emergency room and Meadow Lakes Elementary School.

In 2007, Colleen was named the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year, which was a very proud day for her. She enjoyed working as a nurse, so she regretted having to retire due to her illness. Colleen enjoyed having friends and family gatherings, like her last party on Sept. 11 at the Palmer Depot. She didn’t want a funeral service or sad event, as she didn’t want anyone to know this was her last event.

Colleen is survived by many friends and her brother, Patrick “Paddy” Barry; sisters, Lynne Peterson and Diane Barry; her sons, Thamen and Duncan Barry; grandchildren, Monique Valentine and Juvenal Barry and her husband, Gary Sambo.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.