Mary Nelson Berry

Mary Louise Nelson Berry died unexpectedly on September 5, 2021. While 94, she was youthful in mind and spirit. Known as Mary Lou, she was born on May 4, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, the middle child in a family of 7 children to Ada and Adolph Nelson. She graduated from University of Detroit and worked as a grade-school teacher before marrying Harold C. “Chris” Zweng, MD in 1950. In 1954, the couple moved their young family to California, settling first in Palo Alto and then in Woodside. Mary Lou gave birth to a total of six children in eight years and devoted herself to her family. In 1972, Mary Lou married Frederick Langwith (“Lang”) Berry. In 1975, Mary Lou and Lang moved to Carmel where they lived for the rest of their days.

During her life, Mary Lou suffered significant personal tragedies, which became blessings that deepened her compassion and demonstrated her resilience.

Mary Lou was thoughtful and warm, with a sparkling and enthusiastic spirit. People were the center of her life. She wrote Christmas and birthday cards, Valentine’s and Halloween cards, and special notes to a large group of family and friends. She brought baked goods, flowers and balloons to those who needed cheer. She had a gift of making those around her feel special and loved.

Mary Lou had a deep, quiet faith, devoting herself to Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness and helping those in need. Her day began with a rosary, praying for those dear to her and those suffering in the world. She was a dedicated member of the Carmel Mission community, counting its weekend collections, volunteering for its bereavement group, singing with its choir, and knitting dozens of hats for its homeless and farmworker programs.

Educated by Jesuits, Mary Lou was unafraid to question. A life-long learner, she developed and maintained deeply held convictions about local and global issues. She enjoyed traveling and had several once-in-a-lifetime trips. With Chris and their children, they traveled on sabbatical to Europe for five months in 1962 and in 1969 they circled the globe for two months with their family. With Lang, she became an avid birder; traveled to multiple points above the Arctic Circle; and enjoyed exploring Alaska and Kauai. She developed a keen interest in the history of Samuel Johnson, Richard III and the search for the Northwest Passage.

Throughout her life, Mary Lou loved to entertain, inviting family and friends to enjoy her trademark home-cooked dinners around a table set with flowers picked from her garden. She was a sharp bridge player and enjoyed playing with her many bridge partners. Mary Lou embraced technology to stay connected to her grandchildren. She lived a full life to the end.

Mary Lou is survived by her children Nancy, Tom (Mary), and Paul (Carrie), her stepson Ric and her stepdaughter Lise (Fraser). She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was pre-deceased by her husband Lang, children Joe, Carol, and Peter, and four brothers.

A visitation will take place at The Paul Mortuary Chapel in Pacific Grove on Monday, September 20, 2021 from 4 to 7 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Carmel Mission Basilica on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Alaska Radio Mission-KNOM, www.knom.org, Dorothy’s Place, www.dorothysplace.org, or the Carmel Mission Foundation, www.carmelmissionfoundation.org. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Mary Lou’s guest book.