Betty Grace Berke passed away on January 4, 2020 on Amelia Island, FL, after a courageous five-year battle with ovarian cancer. Born on February 22, 1946 to William and Helen Grace, Betty grew up in Southborough, attending school from kindergarten through graduation from Algonquin in 1964. Her family was active in St. Mark’s Church. Betty graduated from Fisher College in 1966 after which she served as sales manager for the Sonesta Hotel in Boston. Later she became Functions Manager at the Chateau de Ville in Framingham.
On January 31, 1970 Betty married Richard (Dick) K. Berke and soon thereafter moved to upstate New York. For 16 years, Betty and Dick also resided on Amelia Island for the winter months. Betty was a passionate gardener and an accomplished decorator.
Betty is survived by her husband, Dick and daughter Jennifer Berke, her brother Bill Grace and sister Christine (Grace) Darby, daughter-in-law, Kelly Hyche, son-in-law Ari Virtanen, three sisters-in-laws and their spouses and a brother-in-law and his spouse. Betty was devoted to her grandchildren: Alana, Olivia, Tyler, and Jaxon. Betty was predeceased by her parents and her son, Jason (2010).
The funeral service was held at the Amelia Island Plantation Chapel on January 13, 2020 with burial at the Bosque Bello Cemetary followed by a reception at the Golf Club of Amelia Island. Donations in memory of Betty can be made to the Cancer Research Institute with a designation of ovarian cancer at: cancerresearch.org.
(Obituary and photo provided by a longtime friend. You can also find the original, pre-funeral service obituary here.)
