María de Lourdes Berry (née Cabán), 87 of Tampa, died August 24, 2017. Born
in Cataño, PR she was raised in the San Juan metropolitan area.
She was a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Mrs. Berry taught elementary school for
many years at Academia Santa Teresita in Santurce, PR until her retirement
in 1990. Upon her move to Tampa she worked for KinderCare Learning Center
until her retirement at age 70. A member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Carrollwood, most recently she resided in Rocky Creek Village with her husband Charles of 58 years, who died in 2010 and her sister Carmen who passed away last year.
As the wife of an U.S. Airman, Mrs. Berry experienced numerous sacrifices as a young mother of three children while her husband was deployed. Mrs. Berry was an avid traveler, a fan of the TV game show Wheel of Fortune and a lover of folk and country music and a friend to cats.
She is survived by two sons, Cristóbal S. of Fayetteville, N.C., Carlos E.
(Angela) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; a daughter Maria M. (Luis Vall-Llobera) Berry
of San Juan, P.R.; and a stepson Dennis (Genie) of Clark, N.J.; nine
grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her sister Nilda of Puerto Rico.
She was very close to her cousins and nephews. María’s remains will return
to Puerto Rico to be interred next to her husband.
