We are devastated to announce the sudden passing of devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, coach and mentor, Lauryn McAlister Bary. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 47.

Lauryn was born in Chicago, IL on May 29, 1978, to Glenda Lee Martin McAlister and Byron Duane McAlister before moving to Bethlehem, PA and then finally settling in Severna Park, MD in 1986.

She was known for her loving heart, empathy, intelligence, determination, compassion, athleticism, creativity and beloved for her generosity and listening ear.

Graduating from Severna Park High school in 1996, She was a three sport athlete. She participated in soccer, softball and basketball. When not on a field or court she enjoyed reading, writing, movies, time with her friends and traditions with her family.

She earned a scholarship to play soccer and softball at Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, NY. She spent 4 years at LIU, where she became a Northeast Conference Champion in both soccer and softball as well as qualifying for multiple trips to the NCAA Championship tournament. She received a Baccalaureate degree in History with a minor in Journalism and was a proud Blackbird Alumnae.

For work during high school she was an Athletic Aide as well as worked at Chesapeake Bagel Bakery. After college, she started with global compliance and financial firm Wolters Kluwer, on the recommendation of a friend, where she found a work family and ultimately became an Account & Relationship Management Executive on the Wolters Kluwer Key Accounts team with nearly 25 years at the same company until her passing. She also worked as a softball trainer at Frozen Ropes part-time for a brief period.

In 2008, she married her loving husband and best friend, Jonathan Bary, after dating for a year. Together they built a life centered around family, love and laughter. They settled into the Berrywood community of Severna Park and were blessed with two incredible daughters, Quinlyn (17) and McKenna (14), who were the love and light of Lauryn's world.

Lauryn became a valued member of the community and went on to mentor and coach softball and soccer teams within Green Hornets, API, TNT and Starz Gold. It was with her compassion, purpose and integrity that she became a mentor and confidence builder for many young athletes. She cherished the time she spent on ball fields with her extended family.

Lauryn spent her life in stories. She listened with an open mind to the stories of others, she watched with wonder as stories unfolded on screen, she read stories in books, she crafted stories of her own writing and she enjoyed music or art that told a story. She was a storyteller herself. Oftentimes seeming to know where your story should take you next or what story you needed to hear most.

The greatest gift she has given us is her own story which has been woven into the fabric of our lives and our hearts that will forever be carried with us in our memories. Memories of late night talks, bumping curbs for the day, snuggling in for a good show, hugs after scary moments on a ball field, an encouraging smile when you needed it most, a book she couldn't wait for you to read, singing broadway tunes in the car, softball road trips, a funny story you forgot she knew that she couldn't wait to share with your friends, trips out with friends to Pipitone's or Junior's during college, a trip to the mound to calm you down, movie dates, pre-game hair braiding, Disney trips, mountain vacations, the perfect pass on a basketball court, bus rides, team breakfasts, team dinners, shopping trips, and her intuition to always be there with what you needed whenever you needed it most as well as always that reminder to "just breathe."

Lauryn was preceded in death by her dad Byron Duane McAlister, her mom Glenda Lee McAlister, Poppy Duward McAlister, Granny Estelle McAlister, Grandma M. Patricia Martin, Grandpa Glenn L. Martin, Uncle Tommy Hooper, Uncle G. Garry Martin and Aunt Gail Martin.

She is remembered by her loving family, husband Jonathan, daughters Quinlyn and McKenna, brother Darrin Alec McAlister, sister Meredith McAlister Kraus (Emerson), aunt Cathy Hooper, cousin Travis Hooper, father-in-law Mark Bary, mother-in-law Charlene Bary, aunt-in-law Paula Granger, aunt-in-law Patricia Granger, cousin-in-law Nathan Granger (Hannah), aunt-in-law Brenda Bary, cousin David Martin (Shannon), cousin Jon Martin (Julie) and cousin Katherine Gerber (Jeff).

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 4-8pm at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A., 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD 21146. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 3-7pm at the Elks Lodge, 160 Truck House Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA: https://mdspca.org/donate/