Mary Ellen Berger (November 2nd, 1940 – September 16th, 2025) passed away this week to her well-earned, everlasting rest. She’s preceded in death by her parents (John & Gertrude Sullivan, Philadelphia, PA), her brother Jack Sullivan, and her sister Margaret Sullivan, all of Philadelphia. She is en route to rejoin her loving husband of 47 years, Alan Joseph Berger (1939 – 2013), who has been waiting with characteristic impatience, lo, these 12 years since his passing. Fortunately, Mary Ellen was a tough Irish lady and refused to abandon her sister, Sister Margaret Jude of Philadelphia, her loving and adoring children, John, Trudy, Bill, Anne, and Tom, her daughter-in-law Janet Walsh, her sister-in-law Mary Ann Sullivan and her and Jack’s children and grandchildren, her dear friend Theresa, her brother-in-law Larry Berger, her sister-in-law Caroline Berger (nee Eggerding), her daughter-in-law Nancy Flinn and step-grandaughter Tori, several cousins, and her beloved grandson Sebastian, for whom she’d been waiting to spoil for a very long time.
Mary Ellen was known by everyone she met to be one of the kindest, most earnest, and loving human beings one could ever meet. She enjoyed music and singing with various church choirs, including her parishes of Resurrection Parish in Bethel Park, PA and St. Dominic’s in Sheboygan, WI. She and her daughters moved to Sheboygan in recent years to maximize her time with her grandson and to live a simple and peaceful life enjoying her hobbies, which included quilting, crocheting, studying Ireland’s history and beauty, and various and diverse adorable stuffed penguins.
While her adult children and surviving family members and friends will mourn her loss, they are at peace knowing that she had various health struggles in her last years, from which she is finally and joyously liberated. She spent her last hours surrounded by her loved ones who held her hand, sharing with her their favorite stories and memories, singing, and lots of pot luck hospital dinners supplied by her family and loving friends. While she struggled with Alzheimer’s in her later years, she always kept her sense of humor and her love of family at the forefront of everything she said and did.
She was truly the best of us and while her loss is sure to have a deep impact amongst those who knew and loved her, those same devotees of this giant but tender presence in all of their lives take solace in the knowledge that she has finally moved onto her well-deserved rest and her reunion with Alan, who adored her as few humans can appreciate another person. May they enjoy eternity together as they pick up where they left off, arguing over whether to switch to the game or keep monitoring the Weather Channel.
A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 2133 N 22nd St, Sheboygan, with Fr. Nick Baumgardner officiating. Visitation will take place prior to Mass from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held for her at Resurrection Parish in Bethel Park, PA later this year.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you make a donation within your means to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Ballhorn Chapels Funeral & Cremation Care Center is assisting the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting our website at www.ballhornchapels.com.
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