Mary Helen Berger
Mary Helen Berger became an angel in heaven on January 12, 2021. Born on August 31, 1924 to Caroline and Stephen Erdo, Alpha, NJ; she was the youngest daughter of siblings – (deceased) Charles, Joe, Steven, Carolyn, Martha and (surviving) Lester. Greeting her with loving, open arms and smiles as she entered through the pearly gates of heaven was husband Willard Berger and daughter Joan Anastasi.
Living in Milford, NJ since 1958, she was a member of Saint Edward’s Catholic Church, the Alpha American Legion, the Riegel Ridge Senior Citizens. Mary was a woman who was simply loved by everyone who ever met her. When she entered a room, the twinkle in her eyes and that special little giggle let everyone know that Little Grammie Berger was there and it was going to be a great day.
Mary was the matriarch of the Berger family, forever the Energizer Bunny, she could teach you how to play the kazoo in one easy lesson. As a world class card shark, she rarely lost a card game to any of her great grandchildren. Whenever it was time for a funny story and some real laughs, she was well known for her famous book of jokes.
Mary was everything to her family. Her family was everything to Mary. Those immediate members:
Daughter – Joan Anastasi (deceased) – (husband-Don). Grandson: Jayson Anastasi - great granddaughters: Zarra and Sadie. Granddaughter: Danielle Schrader (husband-Thom).
Son - Ken Berger (wife-Loretta). Grandson: Ken Berger II – great grandchildren: Haley, Andrew, Ciara, Deven. Grandson: Matt Berger (wife-April) – great grandchildren: Ryan and Claire. Grandson: Kyle (wife-Bianca) Berger.
Son - Wayne Berger (wife-Sue). Granddaughter: Jamie (husband-Rudy) Wadle – great grandchildren: Little Rudy, Logan, Cayden. Granddaughter: Chrissy (husband-Chuck) Smith – great grandchildren: Maddie and AJ.
Mary may have been tiny, but she was mighty. She has such a strong and loving legacy that she has left behind. So strong, that she has own star named in her honor. Mary, Mom, Little Grammie Berger will be missed by all, but she will never be forgotten. She will always let you “wish upon her star”.
A calling hour will be held on Monday, January 18, 2021, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Finegan Funeral Home, 924 2nd Avenue in Alpha, NJ. Funeral service will then begin at the funeral home at 9:30 followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 830 5th Avenue in Alpha. The interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery.