Marie Frances Berry [nee Hammond] 85 of Montclair, VA passed away peacefully on October 12, 2021. She is predeceased by her late husband Joseph William Berry who passed in December 2016. She is also predeceased by her siblings Margaret [Peggy] Shute, William Hammond, Harry Hammond, and John Hammond [Stepbrother] in previous years.
Marie was the youngest of 4 children born to Harry and Frances Hammond in Camden, NJ on May 7, 1936 and lived her teenage years in Runnemede, NJ where she was raised by her elder sister Peggy until marrying her late husband Joseph of 61 years in 1955. She then moved to South Jersey for 39 years and upon her husband’s retirement in 1993 moved to Dagsboro, DE for 17 years and subsequently Montclair, VA in 2012 for the remainder of her life to be nearer to her family members.
Marie is survived by her 3 children, Joseph Berry of Malaga, NJ, Sharon [Berry] Coons of Montclair, VA and Donna [Berry] Licciardi of Annandale, NJ, 9 Grandchildren, and 5 Great Grandchildren.
Marie was a wife, mother, and homemaker and enjoyed cooking and cleaning for her family.
Marie was a devout Roman Catholic who loved her family and her faith. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends and all who knew her.
Visitation will occur on Tuesday, October 19th from 5pm – 8pm at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA and final interment at Quantico National Cemetery on Wednesday, October 20th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
