Mary Elizabeth Berger

She was born on February 14th, 1950, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Mary Alicia McGrath and Willie Neal Jacobs. She was the first of five children and a forever Valentine to all.

Mary was raised in El Paso, Texas, and graduated from Loretto Academy, the University of Texas at El Paso (BA), and the University of Texas at Arlington (MSW).

She married Richard Kieth Berger in 1970, and the couple had three children: Elizabeth Ann, Megan Colleen, and Grant David.

She was a clinical social worker and psychotherapist for Child Protective Services, halfway houses, private practice, the Emergency Psychiatric Ward at Parkland Hospital, and finally for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. After a long and fulfilling career, Mary retired in 2021.

Mary joyfully devoted herself to her children and grandchildren in her spare time. She was a voracious reader and loved to follow the news. She loved the theater, movies, and spending time with friends. Her faith never wavered; she remained a devout Catholic and loved attending Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas.

Her family and friends will always remember her as an astonishingly strong woman in body, mind, and spirit. She endured many difficulties throughout her life and yet remained dedicated to caring for her family, friends, co-workers, and patients. She placed others above herself and will remain an exemplar to those whose lives she touched.

Mary was a brilliant and striking woman who left an enduring impact on all she met. Everyone will miss her radiant red hair, signature lipstick, bright green eyes, and gracious laugh.

She was preceded in death by Mary Alicia Jacobs, Willie Neal Jacobs, and Julie Jacobs. She is survived by her children: Elizabeth Ann Loving of Leander, Texas, Megan Colleen Riley of Dallas, Texas (David Riley), and Grant David Berger of New York City (Angel Hew-Ching Yau). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lillian Maura Riley, Violet Evelyn Riley, Bridget Colleen Riley, and Bruce David Berger.

Her Funeral Mass will be on Friday, May 2nd at 10:25 AM at Christ the King Church, 8017 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75225.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://give.bcrf.org/MaryBerger.