"Michael" Barnes Berger

on Sunday, July 28, 2013 after a life lived with exuberance and love.

Born Patricia Mae on October 28, 1938 in Worcester, MA, she was the

daughter of the late Ferdinand and Elena (Ferdinandi) Vecchione.

Michael graduated from Douglas High School in 1956. She attended Clark

University in Worcester and pursued several careers using her

tremendous creative skills, serving as a pioneer in broadcast

copywriting in the 1950s and 1960s.

She started at WHYN radio in Springfield as a copywriter. After that,

she worked for WWLP, copywriting and commercial writing. In 1965, she

opened Barnes & Barnes, an advertising agency in Springfield with her

first husband, Jerry Barnes. During the 1980’s she shifted the focus

of her career toward speech and documentary film writing, including

work with public television. Michael moved to Wilbraham in 1999 after

27 years as a Longmeadow, MA resident.

She loved Coast Guard Beach and was fascinated by shipwrecks and

lighthouses. She remained a faithful Cape visitor, particularly after

her daughter, Claudine, moved to South Yarmouth in 2001. More than

anything, she was a devoted mother and she cherished every moment that

they shared together on the Cape and traveling the world. Her

nurturing impulses spread from family to friends-- her nieces and

nephews affectionately referred to her as “Auntie Mame”.

Michael embraced life enthusiastically and enjoyed the big (family,

travel, career) and the small (no loose cookie was safe). And all with

a bit of flair. Almost any reason for a party was an excellent reason

and none more so than Christmas, which she made magical. She enjoyed

classical music, reading and high-heeled shoes. She cared passionately

about family and fairness, and was a fierce supporter of social

justice.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Robert

Berger; and her two sisters, Sandra Ray and Madeline Chupka.

She leaves behind her loving daughter, Claudine Barnes and son-in-law,

David Koehler of South Dennis; her sister, Caroline (Roger) Prince of

Franklin, MA; former husband, Jerry (Elaine) Barnes and his daughter

Karen of West Yarmouth; several aunts and uncles; 14 nieces and

nephews , their spouses and children; hundreds of cousins; along with

several lifelong friends.

Calling hours will be 4-7 pm on Thursday, August 1st at Doane, Beal &

Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660. A memorial

luncheon will be held at The Sea View, 79 Chase Avenue, Dennisport on

Friday, August 2nd from 11 am to 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to the

Sandra N. Ray Scholars Fund in care of Christine Ray, 1714 Woodmere

Way, Havertown, PA 19083.