Mary A. Berger

SOUTH HADLEY

Mary A Berger, age 78, of South Hadley, MA, died peacefully on Wednesday April 8, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Trenton, NJ on January 30, 1943, she was the eldest daughter of the late Vincent and Irene (Darby) Berger. Mary was educated in parochial schools, she was a graduate of the former St Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Trenton. She served honorably in the US Navy Nursing Corp during the Vietnam War.

Mary later earned her degree at Mercy Hospital’s School of Anesthesia, Springfield. She worked for 40 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) serving at Baystate Medical Center and affiliated hospitals. Mary’s gifted mind and caring heart made her an excellent practitioner, esteemed by all those who knew her.

She made her home in Northampton with her mother and niece for many years, enjoying gardening and hospitality. Her selflessness and generosity to family and friends was unmatched. She was always doing for others. She was good company with a sense of humor, enjoying travel with a band of former Navy nurses. She enjoyed going to concerts and plays, family trips and outings with her grandson.

She leaves a circle of family and friends to cherish her memory. Mary is survived by her niece, Kimberly Ducharme, whom she raised as her daughter, and her son, Mary’s grandson, Elliot; her five sisters and a brother: Irene Wright of Louisville, TN, Nancy Berger of Melbourne, FL, Paul M. (Linda) Berger of Bedminster, NJ, Jane Berger of Holyoke, MA, Clare (John) McConville of Easthampton, MA; Ann B Wall of Miami, FL and several nieces and nephews, and a grandniece. She was predeceased by her parents, Vincent and Irene Berger and her sister, Elizabeth Berger.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 9:30am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, both in Holyoke.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Northampton.  A calling hour will be held prior to the funeral from 8:30am to 9:30am. Please note masks and social distancing are required for all services. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Blessed Sacrament School or to a charity of one’s choice.

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