Alda M. (meckes) Berk

Alda M. (Meckes) Berk, age 91, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday (November 27, 2009) after an extended and courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased in 2000 by her husband of 65 years, Paul D. Berk, Sr. Alda was born in Whitehall, PA, the daughter of the late Wilson and Lavina (Adam) Meckes. She was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters: Charles and Carson Meckes of Whitehall, PA and Floyd Meckes of Chicago, IL, and Luella Deily and Effie Fidelman of Whitehall, PA. Alda graduated from Whitehall High School in 1935 as Salutatorian and charter member of the National Honor Society. In 1943, Alda moved to Connecticut when her husband Paul became an experimental test pilot at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. After her four children were out of school, she worked in the tax assessor?s office for the Town of Wethersfield as Senior Technical Assistant for 16 years. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a 50-year member of the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield and taught Sunday school in the early years. She had a lifelong love of gardening, sewing, knitting, baking and reading. She was a member of the Hoe and Hope Garden Club for many years and President in the later years. Alda was an accomplished seamstress, creating her own patterns for women?s and children?s clothing, draperies and slipcovers. She loved her summer home on Otis Reservoir in the Berkshires and assisted in making rock walls for her flower gardens. She enjoyed picking blueberries and apples and baking pies for the family work force. Alda leaves four children: Paul D. Berk, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Woodstock, Gary G. Berk and his wife Karen of Portland, Shirley A. Berk of Marlborough and Eileen C. Perry and her husband Rodger of Simsbury; nine grandchildren: Daniel, Brian and William Berk; Ryan, Jill and Scot Berk; Andre, Paul and Danielle Vallieres and J. Alexa and Taylor Perry; seven great-grandchildren: Patrick, Trisha, Trevor, Dylan, Gabrielle, Abby Lyn and Jordan. Alda was tended with great love and care by many family members and the Masonicare Hospice team. Friends may call on Sunday, November 29 from 2-5 p.m. at the D?Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Burial will be at a later date in Whitehall, PA. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.