Mary Theresa Duda Berry

WATERVILLE -- Mary Theresa Duda Berry, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, March 4, 2009, at the MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Unit in Waterville. Her last illness was mercifully brief, lasting only a few days and all of the days before that were spent happily among friends and family. At the time she was a resident of Sunset Home in Waterville.

Mrs. Berry, the widow of Richard Berry, was born Mary Duda in Fulton, N.Y., on Dec. 6, 1911. She was the daughter of Victoria and John Duda who had immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland. Consequently, she had the opportunity to experience different cultures and ways of living. She had five brothers and sisters, all now deceased.

After meeting and marrying her husband, they and their only daughter, Dianne, moved to Fairfield, where Mary spent the rest of life happily surrounded by many, many friends who adored her and her sparkling personality. Mary often reached out to help others. She particularly enjoyed preparing little baskets for Christmas gifts that she would give to all of her friends. And if she had any extra food she would be certain to share it with neighbors. She always had a ready smile and a happy expression and, perhaps, a joke or two. In fact, she was featured in a profile in Down East magazine and served as a character in at least one novel.

After working in the old Emery Brown's as a seamstress, she started her own alteration business. At one time she had hundreds of devoted clients, all of whom appreciated her expertise with the needle. She also enjoyed designing and sewing doll dresses for her dear great-granddaughters.

However, some of her happiest memories, which she loved to recount, were the summer visits of her two beloved grandchildren, Mitchell and Anne Catharine. For many a summer the two would spend months in Fairfield, enjoying home cooking, going to camp and generally playing in the great open spaces.

She is survived by her daughter, Dianne; her grandson, Mitchell; her granddaughter, Anne Catherine and her husband, Anthony; and five wonderful great-grandchildren, Richard, Emma, Alice, Leo, and Kieran, all of whom have always adored her. She is also survived by hundreds of friends, too numerous to name but always remembered by the family. Thank you.

Visiting and remembering hours will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on High Street in Fairfield. It will be followed by a small meal. While some flowers will be welcome please make contributions to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, in Mary's name.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybroth ers.com

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 107 Main St., Fairfield; (800) 660-2111.