Barbara Diane Berry

Barbara "Barb" Diane Berry was a caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at age 81.

Barb was born to Bernard and Vera Mead on August 24, 1940 in Washington, DC. She graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, KS in 1958. She married James Berry and later divorced. She briefly lived in Texas, but then lived in Kansas for the rest of her life, moving to Topeka in 1975.

Barb performed many professions, beginning as an Orthodontic assistant with Cassidy Orthodontics for twenty years, followed by acting as the Switchboard Operator at the Topeka Police Department. She was also a Receptionist at WIBW for a time and the same for the Topeka Fire Department until she retired in 2002.

She also enjoyed many hobbies, including boating, ceramic painting, and gardening (when the squirrels weren't stealing her prize lilies). One of her proudest achievements was winning the most improved bowler award in her league, and she made sure to pass on her trademark "Granny Style" bowling technique to her granddaughters. Her favorite hobby, however, was her 10+ years of involvement with Topeka Civic Theater, initially as an audience member, then on the crew for lighting, sound, and sets, eventually becoming stage manager for many productions during her years there.

She transitioned from Stage Manager to audience member so she could be more involved in caring for her elderly parents through the end of their lives. Following their passing, she fully embraced her new role as "Granny" to her two granddaughters. She was known to her friends and family for her beautiful and fun fingernails and love of owls, good food, flowers, Elvis Presley, and all things sparkly. She enjoyed taking it easy during retirement, but was always generous with her time and willing to be there for her friends and family when they needed her. She lives on through the many valuable lessons and skills she imparted to her children and granddaughters and she is sorely missed.

Survivors include son, Glenn (Veronica) Berry, Elizabeth, CO; daughter, Julie (John) Lyle, Topeka; granddaughters, Alexandra (Patrick) Davidson, Salina and Veronica Lyle, Salina; great-grandson, Isidore Davidson, Salina; sister, Fran (Jerry) McCollum, Houston, TX; and brother, Alan (Olga) Mead, Allen, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Raymond Mead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Topeka Civic Theatre in memory of Barb at
https://topekacivictheatre.com/donate

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