Shirley Patricia “Pat” Berry was born in Leamington Ontario Canada on November 6, 1947. She was the middle child of 5 to James and Ethel McMullin.
At the age of 12 her life was tragically changed forever by the death of her dear mother in an auto accident. Shortly there after that tragedy she moved with her father and younger siblings to Ventura California, where she attended junior and senior high school. This is where she met her forever love and partner William Asher Berry. They married and welcomed two children, Rick in 1966 and Kelly in 1969. Her family life was full of love and adventures. They moved for a short time to Fallon Nevada where she helped Asher recover and rebuild after an almost fatal fall out of a 60 foot sign in California. They next tried to move to Alaska and although making many forever memories on the Alaska highway living out of a small cab over camper with two young children they decided that Alaska just did not fit. On the way back to pick up their things and figure out what to do next, they fell in love with Boise Idaho. This is where they stopped and built their futures, and where their kids and grandkids reside to this day. Pat went to work for the Meridian school district where she worked for many years making wonderful lifelong friends. She also supported Asher’s dream to begin his own sign business which has successfully thrived through many challenging times. It is now owned and operated by their son Rick.
In the early 90s Pat was diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6. She took every opportunity to gain knowledge and try new treatments with the help of her Dr.; Susan Perlman at UCLA medical center. The ataxia would eventually make speech very difficult and mostly confined her to a wheelchair. Despite these challenges Pat and Asher never stop traveling and seeking new adventures. Always making the best of difficult circumstances was one of Pats many wonderful traits. She had an inner glow that seemed to endear people to her. She always made friends everywhere she went with her quick wit and mischievous sense of humor. She was an inspiration to her family and all that knew her. She was an amazing mother who loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally.
Pat left this earth on Friday, April 23 at 12:35 Into the arms of her beloved mother. Her husband and her children were at her side and the love from family and friends could be felt all around her. We were so lucky that she had the chance to kiss so many of them and say goodbye.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ethel and James McMullin, her big brother Jim, and her cherished brother-in-law George “Mac” McGill.
She is survived by her husband Asher; children Rick and Kelly(Neil), grandkids Blake(Ali), Austin(Hannah), Grace and Tanner. Her siblings Doug(Mary Jane), Rick (Barb) and Barbie(Dave) Malmin.
We want to give our heartfelt thanks to her wonderful caregiver Diane Sosnowski, and her neighbors Sharon and Dennis for their dedicated love and support. We also want to thank our family, Mark, Cheryl, Glenda, Mildred, and Danielle for dropping everything and coming to give one final kiss goodbye, and offering so much love and support to her family.
In lieu of flowers, her family request donations in her name to the National ataxia foundation Donate – National Ataxia Foundation