Mary D. Berry

Mary D. Berry, of 2025 Orchard Street, born July 10, 1921 and died August 10, 2013. She was the daughter of August and Loretta DeMarinis. Mary moved from Marquette in 1946 when she married William "Bill" Berry. They moved to Big Rapids, MI where Bill was earning his degree in finance and Mary worked at Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Bill's job promotions had them living in many parts of the country. Before moving back to Marquette in 1973, they lived in Luton, England with two of their children, Bruce & Trish, who attended the UK school system. Bill died March 7, 1977. In the face of that, Mary and her friend, Anne Holiday started a new business called Savoir-Faire, planning and decorating weddings and company events. The following year, a local business asked if they had costumes. The idea of a costume rental business began. Mary and Anne sewed over 500 costume rentals and even made them for TV commercials. After 7 years they sold the business to Love Notes. Mary and her husband had many costume parties while transforming their backyard into different countries while living in the Detroit area. After selling the business, Mary and her daughter, Trish Everson st...[more]

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ed a new Haute couture line of clothing called Doncaster. After selling the line for 25 years, they retired in 2010. In 2001, her daughter Trish and close family friend, Joanne Clarke started a wedding decorating business called "Two Serve With Love", which Mary helped with her decorating skills. She was happy to say that she was still working at 92 years of age. Mary loved to travel, decorate and was an avid reader, which led to author 5 books, the first novel was co-written with her sister, "Babe" Kuhn and her lifelong friend, Anne Holiday. She was preceded in death by her parents, August & Loretta DeMarinis; her husband, Bill; a son, Stephen R. Berry; and sisters, Marge Coats and Elvira "Babe" Kuhn. Mary is survived by her son, Bruce G. Berry (Frances Grimland) of Grand Prairie, TX; daughter, Trish Everson (Dan) of Marquette; grandchildren, SFC Tonya Berry (1SGT Terry Billingham) of Colorado Springs, CO, Alysha Sperry of Green Bay, WI, and SPC William Berry stationed in Afghanistan; great-granddaughter, McKenzie Rose Sperry of Green Bay, WI; sister, Jean Dupras of Marquette and many nieces & nephews. A special thanks to Lake Superior Hospice and to Marquette Medical Care Facility, who took such wonderful care of her, and to her Special Angels, Ginny & Sonja. Mary was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. The family will greet family and friends on Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon at St. Michael Catholic Church with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating and a luncheon to follow in the church hall. Larry, Bobby and Jimmy Kuhn, Don Dupras, Dan Berry and Ron DeMarse will serve as pallbearers. Memories of Mary may also be shared at canalefuneral.com