Flora E. Berke, a longtime resident of Big Flats, New York, died Saturday, December 3rd, after a brief illness. She was born Flora Emily Finn in 1927, in Hammondsport, New York, to Leola and Joseph Finn. Flora grew up on Keuka Lake, where she developed a life long love of the water, and worked at both the local winery and the yacht club. In 1958, she married David O. Berke, and a year later became a loving mother to her son, Douglas. Flora served as an executive secretary at Corning Glass in the late 1970’s, and after retiring, was active in her community as a member of The Presbyterian Church of Big Flats, and as a docent at the Patterson Inn. In 2011, she moved to Mansfield, Texas, to be close to her son and daughter in law. Family, friends, and travel were Flora’s passion and delight. In their younger years, she and Dave loved to entertain in their home, and after Dave’s passing, Flora traveled many times with family and friends. For her 70th birthday, she organized a family trip to her beloved Hawaii, where she hiked the cooled lava flows and snorkeled with sea turtles! After a full life of 89 years, Flora died at the home of her son Douglas Berke. Flora is survived by her son Douglas and his wife Patty, her stepson, David Berke and his wife, Mary, and her stepdaughter Joanna Berke, and her husband, Ken. Flora loved all three of her children deeply, and they all brought her great joy by calling her “Mom” and making her an important part of their lives. Flora’s family would like to thank all of those who cared for her during the last months of her life. Donations to celebrate Flora’s life may be made to Hospice Foundation of America at https://hospicefoundation.org/ or to Operation Kindness Animal Shelter at http://www.donateforkindness.org/index.html. A memorial service will be scheduled for Flora in Big Flats, NY, in the fall of 2017.
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Skip, Joanna, Doug and spouses … I’m so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing.
As her flower girl in 1958 to having lunch with her just before she moved to Texas, it always seemed like no time had passed. So many good times in the years between.
I would like to know of the memorial service. I split my time between Florida and NH right now and if I’m in the north would make every effort to attend.