Carmella Berry

Carmella Berry, forever young in mind and heart completed her journey here on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024. Even though she stopped counting her age at "49 years old", she actually lived a long life that left us all with an incalculable legacy of love. The daughter of Italian immigrant Catherine and American born Italian Joe Pasco, Carmella and her older brother John were born and raised in Southern California where she lived her entire life.

Losing her father as a young teenager, Carmella started working at a young age in retail and as a model to help her mother with family expenses. That nurturing and supportive drive continued all her life. Being from a close Italian family, she was also blessed to have many aunts, uncles, and cousins that she loved dearly. They all meant the world to her.

Her love of family extended beyond blood as those who were fortunate to know her would attest. She had many lifelong friends from childhood, high school, and the neighborhoods she lived in that she kept in touch with for life.

One of those lifelong high school friends introduced her to a young man named Don Berry, who had just returned from serving in the US Air Force in Korea. Don, the actual definition of a 50’s rebel, quickly realized that he was out flanked and out ranked by Carmella. They married in 1956 and from that point He declared “The love of my life, my beautiful wife, Carmella.” They were married until his passing 45 years later.

During those 45 years of marriage Carmella had many careers including retail. office manager, payroll manager, and medical record support. She could balance a shoestring budget without anyone in the family thinking they didn’t have what they needed or wanted. There were many times in their early years when “going out to dinner” meant splitting a single McDonald’s hamburger and fries. She would always listen when others had problems and give them the best advice. But her true vocation in life was as wife, mother, and grandmother.

Carmella and Don set the best example of Love, Faith, and Partnership. While they were not always perfect, they were always Forgiving, Compassionate, Understanding, Loving, and Determined. That blessed marriage brought Carmella two sons. Donald Berry Jr and Michael Berry.

My brother and I were blessed to watch and learn from their example and to have our Mom, Carmella, with us and our families for so many years. She has made a lasting impression on all those who survive her. This includes the Loves of our Lives, Ellen and Rena as well as Carmella’s grandchildren, their spouses and great grandchildren: DJ, Bree, Taylor, David, Celia, Katie, Nico, Madi, Christine, Jacob, Michelle, Chris, AJ, and Peter. We will carry her legacy of family and love on for generations to come.