WESTFIELD – Jane Frances (Hogan) Berry, 90, of Westfield, passed away on June 23rd, 2023. Jane was born in Meriden, CT on February 5th, 1933 to the late Robert and Jennie Hogan. She was predeceased by her husband of almost 61 years, Philip Berry, in 2016. She was raised in Westfield, MA and attended Westfield public schools. Jane went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from the former Westfield State Teachers College, now Westfield State University.
Jane started her professional career as a 5th grade teacher at Franklin Ave. Elementary school in Westfield. When her children were born she became a stay-at-home mom for a few years. Jane returned to the workforce as the Executive Secretary to two Mayors, John Rhodes and Gary Lynch. After leaving the Mayor’s office she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Architects of Packaging until her retirement. Jane loved to travel. Her favorite place to visit with Phil was Aruba, where they went for over 25 years. She loved to paint, read, do crossword and word search puzzles. Throughout her life Jane was very active in the Westfield community. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, a member of St. Rocco’s Women’s club, an Election day poll worker, a member of the Board of Public Works, and a member of the Westfield State College Board of Trustees.
Jane was a devoted mother to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and very close to her many extended family members. Jane was predeceased by her first child, David Peter Berry.
She is survived by her other children, her son Daniel (Susan) Berry, daughter Lynn (Phil) Canterbury, daughter Joanne (Tim) Black, and son Patrick (Mimi) Berry. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Damion (Irene) Berry, Jason Berry, Andrew (Ally) Canterbury, Stephen (Katie) Canterbury, Christina (Jason) Reed Luciana, Nicholas and Nathan Black, Maura and Courtney Berry, along with her great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Daniel, Charlie, Colin, Lilly, Greer, and Maisie.
The family would like to thank her caregivers, Shauna, Kathy, Carol and Leighan.
Calling hours will be at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 203 Southampton Road, Westfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research, JDRF at 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 or www.jdrf.org or Friends of the Holyoke Soldiers Home, Inc., 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Firtionadams.com
