Obituary: Barbara Ann Ferry, 81

From Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes

Barbara Ann Ferry, a longtime Hartsdale resident, died on May 19, 2013 in Oyster Bay, NY after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mrs. Ferry, the former Miss Bobbie Carroll, was born on October 19, 1931 in New Rochelle, NY to James F. and Katherine (Grattan) Carroll. Her father was a Battalion Chief in the New Rochelle Fire Department. Her brothers, James F. Jr. and Gerald R., predecease her. She was a graduate of St. Gabriel's High School in New Rochelle and Packard Junior College in New York City.

She began her long secretarial career in the actuarial department at New York Life Insurance Company in Manhattan.

Mrs. Ferry married Gregory J. Ferry, also of New Rochelle, in June of 1956. They were married for nineteen years. Mr. Ferry died in 1975. As Mom liked to tell people, " he was the boy I took to my high school prom".

After her husband's death, Mrs. Ferry worked at Iona College in New Rochelle until her retirement in 1996. Her last position there was as executive secretary to the president of the college.

Prior to her illness, Mrs. Ferry attended daily mass and was an avid reader, card player and swimmer. She loved the bays and beaches of Long Island. She devoted her life entirely to her children. 

Mrs. Ferry is survived by her beloved five children; Gregory (Patti) of Nantucket, MA, William (Richard) of Plantation, FL, Katherine McCann (Chris) of Matinecock, NY, James of New Rochelle and Barbara Pelham (Andrew) of Eastchester, NY. She is also survived by her five adored grandchildren; Jenna, Christopher and Devon McCann and Katie and Drew Pelham. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Mrs. Ferry also leaves behind her brother in law, Rev. James T. Ferry and her sister in law, Mary J. Carroll. 

Visitation will be held at the Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes in Scarsdale, NY on Monday May 20, 2013 from 4 to 8 pm. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on 10AM Tuesday May 21, 2013 at Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, NY. Mrs. Ferry will be buried alongside her husband at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation and thanks to the entire Harbor House staff as well as to Hospice of New York for the remarkable care and comfort they provided to Mom.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Mom's memory to either The Maryknoll Fathers of Ossining, NY (www.maryknollsociety.org/) or your local Alzheimer's chapter (www.alz.org). "Be not afraid, I go before you always."