Frances Lillian Berry

Frances Lillian Berry

Frances L Berry passed away on November 7, 2019, in Seattle Washington.

Frances was born on May 12, 1925, in Aberdeen, Washington to Elmer and Julia Leaf, where she grew up in a tight-knit Finnish fishing community. Upon graduating from Weatherwax High School and Central Washington University, she began her 20+ year teaching career in Olympia, Washington. Kindergarten was her specialty. She loved working with those just beginning their educational journey.

While teaching in Olympia, she met James L Berry who was attending St. Martin’s College, and they married in August 1949. They celebrated 70 years together and raised 6 children who were the love of her life. Frances and Jim raised their family in Snohomish, Washington and later in Auburn, Washington. A favorite pastime holding some of the best memories for her family are the camping adventures they took throughout the state, all of us in one tent. Frances packed everything needed, including supplies/food for a weekend or a week. One of her favorite places was Ocean Shores, not far from where she grew up. The whole family went razor clam digging and couldn’t wait for her to fry them up or make chowder! Frances enjoyed road trips, and she took several cross-country excursions with her husband and whichever kids were still at home, taking in as many historical and nature sites as they possibly could.

Upon retirement, they moved to their beautiful piece of paradise on Stretch Island, Grapeview, Washington. After enlarging their family cabin, Frances spent many decades hosting relatives and friends, cooking wonderful meals, gardening, digging steamer clams, swimming in the Sound and making anyone feel special who joined her.

Frances spent the last five years of her life at Fred Lind Manor in Seattle with her husband where she had many friends as she always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. She continued to love visits from her family and follow her faith always.

Frances was an active member of her various Catholic parishes’ Church Environmental ministry wherever she lived, volunteering her entire life wherever she could, and was a Eucharistic Minister. In retirement, Frances and her husband distributed the Holy Eucharist to the home bound. One of her last volunteer efforts was making handmade rosaries for Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Belfair.

Frances is survived by her husband, James Berry, and her six children, Debby Berry, Jim Berry, Jr, Jeff Berry, Sue (Warren) Mauck, Maureen Berry and Laurie (Joe) Blattner, 8 grandchildren, Ty, Andy, Kayla, Stefanie, Jeff, Sam, Will and Alex, 6 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, as well as her sister, Bev Sells, and her brother, Don Hochhaus, all of whom she loved so dearly.

A private Memorial Mass will be held at Fred Lind Manor. Remembrances may be made to Fred Lind Manor, 1802 17th Ave, Seattle WA 98122 in Memory of Fran Berry to benefit The Fred Lind Manor 2019 Employee Appreciation Fund.