Mary Berens

On October 4, 2016, Mary Jo Berens passed away after an ongoing bout with cancer. She was born in Barberton, Ohio on April 4, 1931 to Mary Agnes (Eckroate) Hatheway and Charles W. Hatheway. She was the first of five children. Other than her husband of 64 years, James R . Berens, she is survived by two brothers, Thomas W. Hatheway (Shirley) and J. Mark Hatheway MD (Lynn). She was predeceased by her brothers, Charles L. Hatheway, PhD and David G. Hatheway. Their spouses Norma and Vicky also survive.

Mary Jo was reared in Massillon, OH and graduated from Mt. Marie Academy in Canton, OH with the Class of 1949. She married Jim in 1952 and settled in Massillon where they started a family that eventually included five children, all of whom survive. They are: Regina M. Berens (McGee)

and her spouse Ron, Paul J. Berens and his spouse Korrie, Ann E. Gorman, MD and her spouse Jerome, Thomas C. Berens and his spouse Nancy, and John C. Berens and his spouse Leslie. There are 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

As a mother, her highest priority was her family, with the emphasis on learning and common sense. Over the years she was able to serve as a lay Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach. She also enjoyed playing golf as a member of The Surf Golf and Beach Club, cross-country skiing, bridge, reading, and running at various times over the years.

In retirement, she and Jim settled in North Myrtle Beach and spent the last 25 years of their 64 year marriage enjoying the beach, exercise classes and swimming at the NMB Aquatic and Fitness Center. Their growing family, with frequent visits, were among the happier days of her life.

Mary Jo has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Holy Trinity Catholic School, 1760 Living Stones Lane, Longs, SC 29568 or to Mercy Hospice, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 15th at 1:30 pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach with Father D. Anthony Droze presiding. Inurnment in the columbarium will follow immediately.

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.