Mary Ellen (Brosius) Barrier

Barrier, Mary Ellen (Brosius), 96, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015. Mary Ellen was born on October 5, 1918, in Boonville, Missouri. Her family soon moved to Wichita, Kansas, where her parents quickly became immersed in civic and community activities. Her father, Frank Brosius, was instrumental in the construction and financing of the Brown Building, the Montgomery Ward Building and the Woolworth Building. Her mother, Jessie Brosius, actively volunteered, believing a womans responsibilities extended beyond her home. Mary Ellens childhood, thus, was shaped both by her familys dedication to the community and by the historic events of her time. Mary Ellen met her future husband, John Robert Barrier, at Wichita, East High School, and began a love affair that lasted more than 50 years. After attending Kansas University and graduating with honors from Wichita State University, John and Mary Ellen married in 1940 and were blessed with five children. After serving in World War II, her husband, John, joined his father, Carl Barrier, and his mother, Venus, in the family jewelry store. The Barriers jewelry store soon became the cornerstone of the family and continued in business until 2010. Mary Ellens love for her community and her inherent love of beauty were combined throughout the years in her many efforts to enhance and develop the Wichita Art Museum. Her children recount the years of dedication that she and her co-workers and friends strove diligently to develop the beautiful museum that we all hold with such pride and esteem today. She also belonged to the Wichita Junior League, eventually becoming President, and supported the Y.W.C.A., Planned Parenthood, and her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. While a member of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, she was most proud of her efforts to prevent the extension of a major highway artery through the middle of downtown Wichita. Mary Ellen and her husband, John, were a team, and she also supported her husbands activities on the Wichita Board of Education, Greater Downtown Wichita, the Rotary, and the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. She loved to entertain, decorate, travel and garden, and her home was always open. Her life was shaped by her dedication to her community, her energy, and her enthusiasm. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sons, John R. Barrier, Jr. and Jay Brosius Barrier; her son-in-law, Fredrick Sudermann; and her siblings, Jane Brosius Dick and Frank Brosius. She is survived by her sons and their spouses, C. David Barrier (Mary) and Stewart Barrier (Sally); her daughter, Jane Sudermann; her daughter-in-law, Joan Barrier; eleven grandchildren, John Barrier III, Kathleen Rocha, Gigi Haselhorst, Courtney Barrier Steinhaus, Brook Barrier, Charley Young, Jessica Goodpasture, Megan Workman, Mike Sudermann, Mark Sudermann, Brant Barrier, Morgan Gahagan, Jay Barrier, Will Barrier, Conner Barrier; and 21 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. The last eight years of Mary Ellens life were marked by illness, which she fought courageously. The family wishes to express special gratitude to Dr. Hewitt Goodpasture, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and all of the staff at Via Christi, Larksfield Place Assisted Living, and Regent Park Health Services, for their kindness and help on her last journey. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 17, 2015, Plymouth Congregational Church. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dlwichita.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Mary Ellens memory to the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203; John R. and Mary Ellen Barrier Scholarship, c/o Wichita State University Endowment Association, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260; KPTS, 320 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67203. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.