Susan Joanna (Johnson) Berke

Susan Joanna (Johnson) Berke, 79, formerly of Bethlehem and New York City, died peacefully at home in Plantsville, CT.

Susie was born May 30, 1937 in Los Angeles, CA, the daughter of Charles and Anita Johnson. The youngest of three siblings, she grew up in LA and on a ranch near San Luis Obispo. Her sense of independence, adventure, and love of art led her to study at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Florence, Italy.

She found the love of her life in New York City when she met David Berke at a cocktail party in 1960. Their shared passion for travel, art, music and culture led them on adventures around the world. Susie’s determination and independence resulted in a long successful career in banking. At a time when it was very difficult for women to advance she became one of Barclays Bank’s first women senior vice presidents, and she led the bank’s efforts to computerize commercial lending.

The family had the best of both worlds, loving both the energy of NYC and the respite of High Valley, their home in Bethlehem.  After David’s death and her retirement in 1986 Susie became an avid solo traveler, and enjoyed long voyages to infrequently visited locales, from the Galapagos, to St. Helena, and the Antarctic.  At home in Connecticut she was very active in the local community. She volunteered with the Old Bethlem Historical Society, the Northwestern Connecticut Aids Project, served as an assistant town tax assessor, worked on the 2000 Census, and as an election moderator.

In the mid-2000s dementia began to shrink her world. She loved gardening, feeding the birds, her dog Cilly, and the peace of her home in rural Connecticut. Susie spent that last two and a half years residing happily at the Alzheimer’s Resource Center in Plantsville, CT. There she found the freedom, love and support needed to live independently for her remaining days.

She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by many, including her daughter Vicky Berke, and son-in-law Seth Meyer of NYC and Bethlehem; her daughter Carolyn Berke, son-in-law Ron Warnecke, and grandson David Masterson of Niles, CA; her brother Robert Johnson and his wife Barbara of Santa Clarita, CA; several nieces and nephews; her loving care partners at the Alzheimer’s Resource Center; and many dear friends.

Instead of a traditional service for mom we are planning to celebrate her life with a memorial luncheon. If you can't attend in person but want to share a remembrance please email us and we will read it for you. We hope you can attend and join us in celebrating a life well lived with the people who loved our mother.

When: Saturday April 8, 2017   1:00 PM 
Where: The Painted Pony Restaurant
79 Main Street South
Bethlehem, CT 06751
Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 4 to Vicky by email or phone.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Resource Center, 1261 South Main Street, Plantsville, CT 06479 or the Old Bethlem Historical Society, 4 Main Street North, Bethlehem, CT 06751. Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

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