Geraldine Mary Barry was born on 4 October at Wakes Colne, Essex, the daughter of the Reverend Walter and Anna Barry. She was educated at Queen Anne's School, Caversham, and was originally destined to read mathematics at Cambridge, but this was changed by the visit of Professor Winifred Cullis (Professor of Physiology at the London School of Medicine for Women) to the school during the first world war, seeking medical students to replace male students serving in the armed forces. As a result Geraldine Barry began her medical studies at the London School of Medicine. She gained honours in medicine and surgery and the University Gold Medal in the MB BS examination in 1922. Following such excellent results she said that Cecil Joll rather unwillingly accepted her as his house surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital. She subsequently worked there with J Cunning, Clement Shattock and with Percival Cole at the Cancer Hospital (now the Royal Marsden Hospital). In 1926 she achieved the FRCS and in 1929 the MS London. Miss Barry was appointed assistant surgeon to the London Homeopathic Hospital in 1929 and in 1930 to the Royal Free Hospital and eventually became senior surgeon to both hospitals. She was also elected to the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. She was a most competent general surgeon and skilled in thyroid and abdominal work. The most difficult diagnoses and operations were made to appear easy and she was dedicated to the care of her patients, always maintaining the highest standards. Geraldine Barry was a generous person with high ideals and personal integrity and a good sense of fun. Her leisure interests were wide and included a great love of the ballet. She was fond of gardening and she was able to enlarge this interest on retirement with her sister Frances (also a doctor) using her green fingers for the benefit of her beloved flowers and trees. Like her sister she was a kind and supportive member of the village community at Yately where so many friends enjoyed the large and beautiful garden and their hospitality. Geraldine Barry was always interested in the subsequent lives and careers of her house surgeons and registrars and exchanged Christmas letters with almost all who had worked with her. She died at her home on 1 July 1978.