Eloise Berry Obituary

Eloise M. Berry, age 85, a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at her home in Colorado Springs. She was a homemaker, and Lifetime member of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, holding such positions as Show Chairman (1977), and newsletter editor (1978-1984). Eloise Marilyn Racklyeft was born on September 26, 1926 in Groton City, New York to Carl E. and Gladys (Kelly) Racklyeft. She was a 1944 graduate of McLean High School in McLean, New York an Ellis Hospital School of Nursing in Schenectady, New York and was a licensed RN in New York State. She worked as an operating room (OR) nurse, and held the position of supervisor in the OR at Cortland Memorial Hospital. She married Raymond R. Berry on September 13, 1952 at the Homer Avenue Methodist Church in Cortland, New York. Eloise enjoyed painting, reading, classical piano, traveling, and camping. She was a volunteer for Silver Key Senior Services in Colorado Springs for more than 25 years. She will be best remembered for her smile, her kind nature and her generous heart. She is survived by her beloved husband, Raymond of Colorado Springs; her sons: Stephen Paul Berry of Monument, Colorado and Robert Craig Berry of Colorado Springs. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Catherine Elizabeth (Joseph) Jimenez and Jacquelyn Marie (Derrick) Heslep; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Doris Racklyeft Hyde; and half brother, Carl Racklyeft. A celebration of Eloise's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Shrine of Remembrance "America the Beautiful" Chapel. A reception will follow the services at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the American Lung Association, 600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Suite 100, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Online condolences: shrineofremembrance.com