Margaret Martin Berry (affectionately known to all as “Peggy”) passed away on September 11, 2023 at
the age of ninety-eight. Peggy was born in New Holland, Pennsylvania in 1925, the youngest of the three
children of Earl and Elsie Weaver Martin. At the age of ten, she lost her mother and then helped her
father keep the family together until she graduated (with honors) from high school.
In the fall of 1943, Peggy enrolled at Penn State University and quickly fell in love with campus life. She
joined Kappa Delta Sorority (later becoming chapter president), as well as Mortar Board, Psi Chi (the
national psychology honorary society) and Panhellenic Council. She was the poet of her class, and she
graduated on the Dean’s List with honors in 1947. She then enrolled in a psychology master’s degree
program.
Following his service as a pilot in World War II, Gerald C. (“Bud”) Berry enrolled at Penn State, where he
met Peggy. They married in 1948, beginning a loving marriage that would last seventy-three years. Their
children (Greg and Lisa) were born in 1952 and 1955. The family relocated several times for Bud’s career
advancement, ultimately moving to Clearwater in 1965. Peggy and Bud purchased a house in “The
Meadows” subdivision that would be their home for the next 54 years. In 2019, they moved to “The
Palms” senior community in Largo, where Bud died (at age 101) at Peggy’s side in 2021.
For many of her years in Clearwater, Peggy was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. She was also very
involved in civic affairs and with the work of Skycrest United Methodist Church. She served as president
of the local chapter of Altrusa International and as vice-president of the local chapter of the American
Association of University Women. Through all of her years in Florida, Peggy was an active member of
Skycrest United Methodist Church, serving on various committees and as a member of Anker Class and
United Methodist Women.
Peggy died peacefully at her home at Regal Palms with her children close by. She is survived by her son
Greg and daughter-in-law Karen of Boulder, Colorado, her daughter Lisa and partner Shane of Pilot
Point, Texas and grandson Kevin and wife Jay of Loveland, Colorado. We family members express our
deep gratitude for the decades of friendship given to Peggy and Bud by the congregation of Skycrest
United Methodist Church. We also greatly appreciate the support and attention provided by the staff
and residents of The Palms community in Largo and by the attendants of Seniors Helping Seniors and
Suncoast Hospice. Our great thanks also go to her care managers (and now friends) Liz Barlowe and
Julie Anna Zacharek of Barlowe and Associates.
A funeral service for Peggy will be at Skycrest United Methodist Church (2045 Drew Street) on Tuesday,
September 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM (to be conducted by Pastor Ryan Frack). The service will be followed
by a simple reception with the family. Peggy will be interred next to Bud at the Florida National
Cemetery at Bushnell.