Phyllis (Hellman) Berk, 85, of Newton Highlands, at home on Saturday, December 29, 2012. Beloved wife of Laurence “Laurie” “Larry” Berk. Loving mother of Judy Berk & her husband David Foley of Northport, ME, and Joanna Berk of Richmond, VT. Proud grandmother of Sam Berk-Hinckley of Richmond, VT. Phyllis was raised in Brookline by her parents Solomon & Henrietta (Greenberg) Hellman, and her sisters Pearl Tepper & Shirley Goldman, who predecease her. Phyllis graduated from Simmons College and was employed by Harvard University. She volunteered at Head Start and for political campaigns and causes which she felt passionate about. Phyllis loved to create pottery, to work in her garden and to play bridge with dear friends. She was an enthusiastic cook and baker, preparing elaborate meals for family and friends, and hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her home for more than 50 years. She traveled extensively with Laurie, from Carnival in Haiti in 1961 to the opera in Verona, Italy, in 2002. Phyllis and Laurie enjoyed spending time at their South Wellfleet vacation home for more than 30 years. Phyllis will be remembered for her wit, warmth and grace, which touched many people. She leaves behind a sister-in-law, Lois (Berk) Grayson, nieces Shelley (Tepper) Aaron, Nancy (Tepper) Shor, Shoshana (Grayson) Plotke, and Miriam (Grayson) Ferris, and nephews David Grayson, Eliot Goldman, James Goldman and Gary Goldman. She also leaves many close friends and her extraordinary caregiver, Carmel Addley. Services at Levine Chapel, 470 Harvard St., Brookline, on Wednesday, January 2 at 12:00pm. Memorial observance, Wednesday only at the home of Laurence Berk following the service through 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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