Obituary of Barbara Maier Berry

Barbara Maier Berry died Saturday, January 19, 2013 after a long illness. Born in Yonkers on December 10, 1933 she was the daughter of the late Robert Maier and Helen Foley Maier. She was the devoted wife of the late Martin E. Berry who died in 1997 after 43 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband Lewis Katras and they have been married for 12 years. She is the beloved mother of Deanne Blanke and her husband Mark (Niskayuna), Barbara Tobin and her husband Daniel (Loudonville), Martin Berry and his wife Kelly (Loudonville) and James Berry and his wife Pam (Satellite Beach, Fl.). She was the proud grandmother of Deirdre Hargrave and her husband Dan, Colin Berry, Tara Bania, Christian Blanke, Morgan Berry, Darbi Berry, Carly Bania and Jamie Berry. She was the loving sister of Jane Watson and the late Helen Weber and Marie Medon. She is also survived by her cousin Marilyn Foley, extended family and many nieces and nephews. Barbara loved her family and was a devoted mother. She entered the work force at the Department of Environmental Conservation and after at the Office of Parks and Recreation as an executive secretary. Her love of singing led her to start the first choir at St. Henry's Church in Averill Park. Barbara's thoughtfulness and compassion extended far beyond her family as evidenced by her numerous friendships in both NY State and Florida. She was a very faithful woman and proudly sang with the St. Pius X church choir where she was a communicant for over 55 years. She was also a member of the St. Pius Altar Rosary Society and sang with the Capitol Hill choir performing the Messiah. Barbara was a generous woman of style and dignity. She was an avid golfer and prolific reader who enjoyed sharing her books with family and friends. Barbara loved to travel and entertain with singing and her long repertoire of jokes. She was the consummate hostess and was always thinking of others. Barbara has been volunteering her services as Board Secretary and Activities Coordinator of her condo association in Florida for many years. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Services will be held at St Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 on Saturday February 2nd, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.