Catherine Berry

Catherine Ann Berry was a woman who was strong in her Catholic faith. She was a faithful wife, loving mother, and devoted grandmother and great grandmother. She was an excellent secretary and enjoyed cooking for her family. Her family was her top priority. Born on May 21, 1921 in Muskegon, Michigan to Fred and Anna (Buckley) St. Amour, Catherine was the oldest of eight children. Fred and Anna worked hard to raise Catherine along with her siblings: Tom, Sam, Art, Jerry, Bill, Jean and Marie. Fred provided for the family as a brick mason while Anna stayed home to care for the children and run the household. The decade after Catherine was born was known as the roaring twenties. It received its name because of the heady economic times and unprecedented opportunities for women. The St. Amour family grew up in a house on West Grand Avenue. They were all faithful parishioners of St. Marys Church and the children attended the Catholic school there as well. Since Catherine was the oldest, she was expected to help her mom by watching her younger siblings. In school, Catherine was a good student who was the proud recipient of an award in typing. After graduating from St. Marys High School, Catherine enrolled at Muskegon Business College where she learned shorthand and other secretarial skills. She excelled in all of her courses there. When she wasnt attending classes, Catherine and her friends would spend a relaxing day at the beach. One day she noticed a handsome young man on the beach. Catherine walked by and accidentally kicked some sand his way to get his attention! It must have worked since the young man, Gilbert Berry asked her out. They fell in love, exchanging their vows on November 8, 1941. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many young men enlisted in the military to defend their country. Gil joined the Army and with Catherine at his side they moved to various places around the country, wherever Gil was stationed. During his military service, their first daughter Joan was born in 1944. At this time Gil was sent to fight overseas while Catherine took Joan and waited out the rest of the war at her parents home. When Gil returned to civilian life, he and Catherine settled into a home on Delz Drive in North Muskegon. Gils mother owned all the property at Delz Drive and had divided it between family members. It was comforting to have so many relatives living nearby, especially for a young couple just starting out. Gil found employment as a machinist at Anaconda Wire and Metal, while Catherine stayed home to care for the children. (Three more beautiful children were added to the family: Sandy in 1946, Donna in 1947, and their only son, John in 1955.) With their expanding family, Catherine and Gil decided more room was needed. The family moved in 1956 to a bigger lakeside house. They began attending St. Frances deSales Catholic Church, which was closer to their home. When the children were old enough to be in school all day, Catherine went back to work as an executive secretary for Clark Floor Machine. Catherine excelled in her work at Clark Floor and they were very pleased to have such a good employee. At home Catherine was an excellent cook, who was known for her pot roast, German potato salad and peanut butter cookies. In the summer the family made annual trips on the Grand River or at Brooks Lake near Newaygo. There they would rent a cottage and enjoy racing on the water with their ski boat. There were also reunions at Twin Lake Park with the St. Amour side of the family, creating treasured memories with the time spent together. During Christmas, Catherine used her secretarial skills to keep the kids from guessing which presents were theirs by using shorthand on the packages! After twenty years at Clark Floor Machine, Catherine retired when the company closed. Around the same time, Gil retired from Anacanda when it closed too. Catherine and Gil moved back to another house on Delz Drive and started attending Prince of Peace Catholic Church. In their retirement they discovered the fun that camping affords. They started out with a truck topper, moving up to bigger and better recreational vehicles until they ended with a fifth wheel that they pulled behind the truck. They traveled all over the United States, sometimes going with another couple from Muskegon. Catherine and Gil also wintered in Yuma, Arizona to soak up some sun and escape from the cold Michigan winters. They stayed in the same campground and made lasting friendships over the years. When Catherine became a grandmother, this was something that she enjoyed very much. When the grandchildren were old enough, they were sometimes allowed to come along on the camping escapades. Both Catherine and Gil loved being grandparents and spent as much time as possible with the grandchildren. The holidays were always a special family time with lots of presents, lots of food and lots of love. In her quieter moments, Catherine enjoyed watching the Home Shopping network where she could always find a good bargain. If someone in the family mentioned that they liked something on QVC, the next week a package would mysteriously appear on their front doorstep, containing the item that they had admired! Later, Catherine became a big fan of the computer and the internet, realizing that people can learn new skills at any age. Tragedy came into Catherines life with the death of her daughters, Donna in 1998 and Sandy in 2007. Through both tragedies Catherines strong faith in God buoyed her up and helped her persevere. Sadly, Gil began experiencing health problems. Catherine took care of him herself, giving him the best of care, until his death in October of 2007. Catherine was doing fine and lived independently, in her own home, right up to the end. Catherine A. Berry, died Friday, September 12, 2008. She leaves a legacy of love and faith to her family, friends and all the people she touched in her years here on earth. SURVIVING: One son, John Berry of Muskegon; one daughter, Joan (Jerry) MacPhee of Battle Creek; 13 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; 1 brother, Art (Letty) St. Amour of Muskegon; numerous nieces & nephews She was preceded in death by her husband, Gil in 2007; two daughters, Sandra Ruppel & Donna Allen; siblings, Tom, Sam, Jerry, Bill, Jean & Marie. SERVICE: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 11:00 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Hart officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. VISITATION: Monday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home & Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. MEMORIAL: Hackley VNS Hospice. 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