MARSHFIELD – Muriel Mawhinney Berry, 86, lovingly known as “Meme,” passed away peacefully July 8, 2012. She was born Feb. 24, 1926, in Machias.
She was a graduate of Machias High School and Westbrook College. She started her teaching career at a small grammar school in Jonesport in the 1940s and retired as a principal of Dora Small Elementary School, South Portland, in 1980. Her teaching career lasted 40 years. Meme was married to her husband, William Berry Jr., for 46 happy years and after their retirement, they bought a farm in Windham, and raised racehorses, cattle and sheep. They later moved to Ellsworth and lived there for nearly 20 years. During retirement they also found time to run an antique shop, and a make and sell their own faceted jewelry. During the past several years of their marriage they moved “home” to Machias, and enjoyed being near the family cottage and close to relatives. Muriel was a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, Ellsworth, and a member of the Alter Guild and Women’s Auxiliary for many years. In her spare time Meme enjoyed both cooking and making quilts, and she was an expert at it. She won awards for her designs and many a blue ribbon at fairs around the state. Beginning with her first pony as a child, Meme was always an animal lover. She had many farm animals throughout her life, but she had a special place in her heart for Dachshunds. Her last little Dachshund, “Max,” was with her constantly. She will be remembered by her family as a woman of great strength and generosity. She was always a person that placed the needs of others above her own. A rock during hard times and ever present to make the good times so much better. For all of her nieces and nephews, she was truly thought of as a second mother and set an example to be admired. Her heart and home were always open to family and friends.
She was predeceased by her father, Fred Mawhinney; her mother, Vivian Perry Mawhinney; her husband, William Berry Jr.; brother, Fred Mawhinney Jr.; sister, Lillian Umstead; sister, Julia M. Calor; and great-nephew Ryan Calor. She is survived by nephews, Craig Calor, Chris Calor and wife, Wanda, Michael Calor and wife, Wendy, and Daniel Mawhinney; two nieces, Julie Calor Vittum and Jean Ellen Mawhinney Euell; and great-nephews and great-nieces, Paris Calor and wife, Kara, and daughter, Kallie, Aaron Calor, Michael Vittum and Julianne Vittum. Also special friends that loved and helped Meme so much, Madolyne Clark and Shayna Mugsford.
There will be a graveside memorial service 2 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Forrest Hill Cemetery, Jonesboro.