Rebecca Catherine Barry

June 29, 1979-February 16, 2026

Rebecca Catherine Barry was born on June 29, 1979 at Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan.  She was raised in Baltimore, Maryland and lived with her mother, Mary Minderlein; her aunts Claire and Catherine, her uncle Charles (Buck), and her grandmother Catherine (Baba).  She later moved with her mother to Manchester, Maryland, where she was a leader in 4-H and graduated from North Carroll High School.

Pursuing her talent for music and performance, Rebecca earned a Bachelor's of Music in Music Performance from Susquehanna University (2001) and a Master's of Musicology from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University (2003) before shifting focus to earn a Master's in Music Therapy from Illinois State University (2005) and becoming a board certified music therapist.  Rebecca worked as a music therapist at Fairfax County Public Schools' Key Center from 2006-2009, specializing in therapy for children with severe mental and physical disabilities, and then independently as a therapist and music instructor thereafter.

While attending Indiana University, Rebecca met Kevin Barry, who was studying Information Science.  Kevin became a foreign service officer, and the two were married in 2006 in Virginia.  They had a son, Matthew, in 2010, and adventured around the world together, living in Jordan, Ghana, Germany, Ukraine, and Romania.

Rebecca loved and lifted up everyone in her life.  We will not see her like again.  She is survived by her son, husband, mother, aunts, and uncles.

There will be a Receiving of Friends for Rebecca at Ruck Funeral Home (1050 York Road, Towson, MD, 21204) on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.  A funeral Mass will be held at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish (1212 Chesaco Avenue, Rosedale, MD, 21237) on Friday, 27 February, 2026, at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rebecca's name to House of Ruth ( houseofruth.org ) will help provide safety, shelter, and support to women and children who need help escaping domestic violence.