WINN – Darlene S. Berry passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Aug. 25, 2012, at her home with her husband by her side. She took her journey living with cancer in stride with her faith in Jesus. Born June 10, 1959, in Orange, Mass., she attended high school in Leesburg, Fla., and Orange, Mass., graduating in 1977 from Mahar Regional High School, Orange, Mass.
She worked jobs of all types throughout her lifetime starting in tobacco fields as a teenager, waitressing, operating her own antique shop, and operating the Mattawamkeag Laundromat. She married Robert Berry in March 2001 and they worked together the remainder of her life from managing a sporting camp, team driving tractor trailer and then finally opening their own business in 2006. She moved to Maine in 1982. She loved the outdoors and all that it offered. She worked as a Sunday school teacher, volunteered in the Good News Club and worked with her husband with puppets teaching the Bible for several years. She loved cooking for large groups for church gatherings, homemade soups for the food pantry and the guests at the sporting camp.
She is survived by her husband and loving companion, Robert Berry of Winn; three stepchildren, Danielle, Christopher and Leanna; and grandchildren, Ryan and Jackson. She is also survived by her mother and friend, Beverly Starkey of Orange, Mass.; father, Paul Starkey of Anderson, S.C.; brother, David Starkey and his wife, Donna, of Atlanta; niece, Sarah Petty; great-niece, Annabel, both of Georgia; and nephew, Cody Starkey of New Hampshire. She also leaves behind two special friends, who were there any time of the day or night, Lewis and Karen Noble of Lee. She was predeceased by her brother, Donald Starkey.
Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Vince Hartford officiating. Interment will be at Potter Brook Cemetery, East Winn. A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at Mattawamkeag Community Hall after the burial. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to your local food cupboard. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at www.clayfuneralhome.com.
Darlene S. Berry
