Marie D. Berry

Marie D. Berry, 75, of Asbury Park, NJ, passed away in her home on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. She was born on Monday, October 18, 1943, in Newark, NJ to Laura Delphine Pierce and James Pardes. She was their only child together. Marie’s mother passed away in 1944. She was later adopted by her grandmother's sister, Mary Lillian Elliott, who then raised Marie as her own child.

Marie was the daughter of public servants, and as a young child she received private education through Catholic Boarding Schools in the United States, and later public school in Asbury Park, NJ. In later years, Marie's life mirrored her lived experiences, by traveling throughout the United States, in a free manner she coined, as "Stepping Out".

In the 70's Marie even traveled with her children, modest and in a simple manner, to expose and share those life experiences of different environments, from a perspective only, she herself could share. Free and full of life, in those years to come of twilight years, her life led her back to the home of her childhood, Asbury Park. Marie had a warm and gentle heart, and a feisty spirit. This would be her final trademark of life, to be remembered and revered, by all who knew and loved her.

She was predeceased by her biological parents, Laura Delphine Pierce and James Pardes of Newark, NJ; and in later years her mother and father, Carnell Lentworth Berry and Mary Lillian Elliott-Berry of Neptune, NJ; eldest daughter, Royce M. Berry in 1994; and great grandson, Jahmere K. Presley in 2018.

She leaves for the world to cherish, her 2 daughters, Mrs. Rajade M. Berry-James, Ph.D. and husband, Milton James, M.D of Cary, NC; youngest daughter, Ms.Tujaim M. Berry, Ph.D. C-Psy of Neptune, NJ; 2 sons, Syr A. Berry of Trenton, NJ, and Nochus H.M. Berry of Durham, NC; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

The family requests any kind donations be provided to the Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, 144 Ridge Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (732-775-1101).

Dome of Life
My Dome of Life; Why must I be death's wife?
To a certain degree, I hear death calling me.
I'll hide I say, til I find heavens way.
Oh stars above, in my world there's so much love.
Travelling now through the spirit world,
Going to meet my mother, you know I was her only girl.
To my children I say, I've gone on to pave the way.
To this world I leave behind, a memory so divine.

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Farewell
Fare, Farewell, It’s been nice and swell.
I've learned a lot about heavens gates, and mine won't be too late.
To my Delight, I learned to appreciate my life,
And the God in Me,
It just kept on turning the spiritual key,
through my prayers, my eyes opened to another me.
I grew-up going to and from the Sea.
It was the water, that clarified my entity,
The rhapsody of life, my self-esteem,
The nightmares, the dreams, helped me understand, the trickle of the stream.
Life Goes on, I must say. But for me now, I must call it a day.
Just to see the other side as I pray.
As I stand in line to be Judged.
I wonder where I'll go, Up or Down, To and Fro,
the Universe is certain to know.
So long for now, see you in Paradise.

Marie

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