Adrianne Camille Barry

Obituary

Raleigh, NC:    Fierce, poised, and unapologetic, Adrianne Barry fought breast cancer until the very end. Sadly,
she succumbed to the disease on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the age of 77. She was
surrounded by her loved ones at home in Raleigh, NC at the time of her passing.
Adrianne was born on April 26, 1946, on Chicago’s North Side. After graduating from the all-
girls Catholic Immaculata High School, Adrianne went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in
history and political science at Northern Illinois University. She remained passionate about
both subjects throughout the remainder of her life. Growing into early adulthood throughout
the 1960s she was passionate about self-expression, women’s rights, and understanding and
pursuing American civics.
Much of her life was spent with family and friends in her most beloved place, Chicago. You
could often find her walking through her favorite neighborhoods, enjoying local art, music, and
food, commenting on the latest in news and politics, agonizing over sports, and laughing with
the sense of humor that it takes to endure Chicago winters. As a strong independent woman,
Adrianne spent many of her professional years working for First Chicago Bank. In early 1982,
she became pregnant with her first daughter Cherianne, whom she raised as a single mother.
She welcomed her second daughter Megan in 1985. She devoted herself to teaching her
daughters the importance of lifelong learning and being proud, self-confident, and successful
women– lessons she continued to teach to her three granddaughters.
The world may have lost one strong-willed woman in Adrianne’s passing but it gained five more
that will continue to share her message of living life to the fullest. Adrianne was preceded in
death by her parents, Mary Ellen (Masterson) and Eberhard Krutwig. She is survived by her two
daughters, Cherianne (Shaun) Kestner, Megan Barry (Tyson Thornwall), granddaughters, Monet
“Momo” Thornwall, Madeline “Maddie” Kestner, and Penelope “Penny” Kestner, sister, Cherie
Haigley (Dale Schmidt), and long-time partner, Randy McKay.
The family requests that donations be made in Adrianne’s name to Planned Parenthood, Duke
Cancer Institute, or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.
A celebration of Adrianne’s life will be held in Chicago, IL on a date still to be determined.