Emilie Marie Grootendorst Barry, born January 6, 1932 in Patterson, NJ to Gerard Grootendorst (born in Boskoop, Holland) and Edith Muller Grootendorst (born in NY, NY) residing in Oakland NJ.  She was a miracle child, her mother was in her 40's when Emilie was born. Named for one of her mother's eldest sister, Emilie was blessed to have a large family of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins as she was an only child. Her mother, Edie, died suddenly at the age of 57 when Emilie Marie was only 16. 

In 1953, Emilie graduated from Beaver College, in PA. (Her business professor told Emilie, "you write a very chummy business letter." Those of you who know my mother, most appreciate her for her chummy letters.) Emilie went to work at Young and Rubicam NY, still one of the most iconic global marketing communications companies in the world.  At a party for the folks who rode the train with her into NYC, she met Walter Andress Barry, Jr.  They married on March 6, 1957.  Edith Elizabeth Barry born June 7, 1959, and Susan Kimberly Barry Kerby born December 3, 1960. Gerard, Emilie's father and our Opa, died January 5, 1970.  

Emilie and Wally shared a passion for antiques and Emilie ran the Antique show as a volunteer for the Women's Club of Evanston for many years.  She knew all the dealers personally and probably bought something from every one of them.  

Susan and Russell Anthony Kerby married December 31, 1982 and Emilie gained a son.  When Wally died October 30, 2012, she acknowledged as "her three sons" the three "boys" (men in their 60's) who had taken care of things for my parents as if they were their own parents Jay Ingram of Lake Forest, IL, Dave Kase of Traverse City, MI and Ted Prohov of Wilmette, IL.   

At age 87, Emilie is survived by cousins of her generation by her Father's Brother's children, "the boys" (all in their 80's) Pete of San Diego, CA, Hank of Fresno, CA and Edward Grootendorst of Lake Oswego, OR and sister, Miri B. Davis of Kirkland, WA. 

Emilie was the last of her generation on her mother's side. 

The man who will likely miss her most, George Trenz, 100, currently of Santa Rosa, CA, who, as a newlywed, moved to Oakland, NJ, across the street from my mother when my mother was 9.  When my mom lost her mom, they were there together. They have been the best of friends for nearly 80 years. 

And yet as I write this, I realize, many of you are "the best of friends" with Emilie.  I believe there is a big hole for many of us where Emilie Marie Grootendorst Barry made a "big impact."  

I often say, "God's funny" as I read the "signs and messages" the universe is providing all the time, and sometimes I interpret, perhaps it's just me but today I found out why I never liked the word impact to be used to say a good thing. I never liked the connotation of a wisdom tooth that was stuck or a car that had crashed.  

August 2nd, 2019, we received a call from Sargent Girard of the Wilmette Police that went something like this,  "There has been a single-car, life-treatening accident.  Your mother hit a pole.  They are actively working on your mother now.  There is internal bleeding. Her blood pressure is low.  An airbag, without a seatbelt, on an 87-year-old woman is a Big Impact."  And so it was. It is finished.