Lucille Marie Berry, nee Blattner, age 91, joined her family in Heaven on Monday, July 28, 2014.
Lucille was born on August 13, 1922 in Milwaukee to the late John T. and Josephine (nee Reinert) Blattner. She attended Holy Ghost grade school, Girls' Tech, and the Layton School of Art, where she built upon her inherent composition and design skills. She worked for Boston Store as an interior decorator before her marriage to Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Ellsworth Berry on October 31, 1942.
Lucille and Ken raised their two daughters in Whitefish Bay, and later in Waukesha. Lucille was a talented homemaker. She sewed many of her own and the girl's clothes and home designs, including First Communion dresses and prom gowns, her mother-of-the-bride outfits, drapes, and slipcovers for the house. She taught sewing for Singer for several years after the girls were grown, and was an adjuster for Fireman's Fund Insurance. She was an accomplished pianist and an avid gardener. Her roses and arrangements won many prizes at the Whitnall Park annual flower shows. She loved to read, especially Emily Loring novels. And, all the while, she painted landscapes and still-lifes in oil or watercolors.
After Kenneth's death in 1979, Lucille spent much time working with groups at St. Mary's Church in Waukesha and continuing her life-long Bible study. She had a remarkable scriptural knowledge. She also continued to enjoy her bridge club friends. Upon moving to Cedar Bay Assisted Living at age 89, Lucille greatly enjoyed family living close by, playing Kings in the Corner, Dominoes, and especially Bingo.
Lucille is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen (Tom) Gaspard and Sharon (Bill) Mitchell; six grandchildren: Aimee (David) DeBrandt, Renee (Christian) Rubio, Justin (Jolie Salvano) Gaspard, Matthew (Jen Lavora) Mitchell, Julie Mitchell and Thomas Mitchell; eight great-grandchildren: Sam and Molly Debrandt, Amelia and Virginia Rubio, Dylan and Aidan Gaspard, and Owen and Olivia Mitchell, all of whom totally delighted her. She is further survived by her sister, Mildred (Gordon) Warren and nine nieces and nephews and their children. She had a special friend in Rachel Zimmers, who visited and comforted her.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a brother, Ben, and sister-in-law, Jean, and her son-in-law, Daniel Engels.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Sunday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. Visitation will be at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. Following the Mass, a reception and continued celebration of Lucille's life will be held at the home of Bill and Sharon Mitchell in West Bend, all family and friends are warmly invited.
Lucille's family wishes to thank Cedar Bay East, Cedar Community Silverbrook staff, the Cedar Hospice who made her last days more comfortable, and Father Jerry Brittain and Colleen Mas, who brought her great peace through prayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holy Angels School Trust fund, West Bend, or any charity of the donor's choice.