Helene Gerschke Barry, of Amherst, MA, formerly of New Canaan, CT, died peacefully at home on September 27, 2009 after a one year illness with cancer. Born September 24, 1931 in Manhattan, NY., daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Elizabeth and Earnest Gercshke. She graduated from New Canaan High School in 1949. A longtime resident of New Canaan, she was a member of St. Aloysius Parish where she was a CCD teacher. She worked part-time at the New Canaan YMCA for many years. While living in Amherst, Ma the past 3 years, she was an active member of St. Brigid’s Parish. She was preceded in death by her husband James C. Barry. She is survived by her son Michael Barry and his wife Patricia of Newtown, CT; daughter Elizabeth Garrett and husband Robert of Ephrata, PA; daughter Helene Cunningham and husband John of Amherst, MA; son James Barry and wife Sandra of Randolph, VT; daughter Melanie Sandora and husband Scott of Old Lyme, CT. She is also survived by her 9 special grandchildren Julie, Ryan, Erin, Philip, Michael, Taylor, Sean, Jack and Joey. She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be truly missed. Visitation hours will be on Friday, Oct. 2, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan. A funeral mass will follow at 12:30 pm at Saint Aloysius Parish in New Canaan. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery in Darien. The family requests donations to be made in Helene Barry’s name to Hospice Life Care, Holyoke VNA, 113 Hampden St., Holyoke, MA 01040. http://www.holyokevna.org/giving.html Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan, is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, www.hoytfuneralhome.com