Mrs. Jacquelin Howard Berry, 82 died peacefully at Doey’s House, Hagerstown, on Friday evening, October 19, 2018, with family at her bedside following a lengthy, challenging but unsuccessful recovery from heart surgery. She was the wife of Thomas Berry, her husband of 64 years.
Born at Mount Tammany Farm, near Williamsport, on November 16, 1935, she was a daughter of the late W. Preston and Margaret I. Angle Howard. At an early age Jackie was taught to ride Standard bred saddle horses and developed into a remarkable horsewoman winning many trophies and ribbons at local and East Coast events. Not only was she a gifted rider on three and five gaited mounts but also in Western and Pleasure classes. She prided herself in taking care of her horses.
Her riding took a hiatus after her marriage to Tom in 1954, but resumed in 1976, when they bought a farm near Rohrersville. She and her saddle companions were familiar with most, if not all, South Mountain trails from Washington Monument to Sandy Hook. She had fond memories of her many trips to the Triangle X Ranch in Jackson, Wyoming with her sister Tammy and friends.
She loved her church and was a faithful member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Rohrersville, for over 40 years. She could always be counted on to pitch in and help with the many church projects especially the Needy Family fundraisers. The ladies of the church always looked forward to their Christmas party hosted at her home.
Jackie and Tom traveled extensively in the US visiting every state including Hawaii and Alaska after Tomes retirement.
Besides her husband, Jackie is survived, a son Curtis Berry and wife Teresa; grandchildren, Lauren, Kristin and Kalyn; and great-grandchildren Hailey, Ethan and Natalie; a sister Tamala Gildea and husband James of Greenbelt; as well as a cousin Ken Dudley of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
In addition to her parents, Jackie was predeceased by a son Mark Alan Berry; and her sister and best friend Margaret “Peggy” MeDuffie of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The family would like to thank the members of Mount Zion for their prayers, meals and other assistance they provided during Jackie’s long illness and a special thanks to her close friend Carol; and is very grateful to Debbie, Kathy and Mary of the Hospice team for the outstanding care they gave Jackie at home, the excellent staff at Doey’s House and to a wonderful Hospice volunteer, Donna.
The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, Hagerstown, is handling the arrangements. At Jackie’s request there will be no visiting. A funeral service will be held in at her church, Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 20214 Locust Grove Road, Rohrersville, 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 23rd, with her pastor, Rev. Regina R. Beard officiating. Interment will follow in church cemetery. The family will receive friends afterwards at Friendship Hall.
