Mary Winters Berra

Mrs. Mary Winters Berra, 59, was born to eternal life on July 12, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born November 18, 1953 in Forsyth County to James Francis Winters, Jr. and Ann Semchessen Winters. Mary's passions were gardening, community service, social justice, and simple and sustainable living. She loved the ocean, the mountains, tent camping, and walks in nature. She earned Bachelor's degrees in Special Education and Nursing. As a nurse at Reynolds Health Center she developed friendships with many in the Spanish speaking community of Winston-Salem and provided translation services for them with community agencies and helped them gain permanent residence and citizenship. Mary worked in migrant ministry in Yadkin County with the Catholic Church. She tutored in an after school program and helped countless persons with transportation, access to health care, and assistance during financial crises. She advocated for international peace and end to war. She was part of several peace delegations to war torn parts of Central America, including El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. She protested U.S. military intervention in Central America and Iraq and the training of Central American military officers at the U.S. Army base Ft. Benning, Ga who were involved in Human Rights abuses. Mary's community service was recognized with the Service to Mankind Award from a local Sertoma Chapter. Her faith in God sustained her through difficulties and gave her the energy for her social outreach. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Esther Kelleher. She is survived by her husband, Ron Berra; sisters, Rose Burwell, Frances Slechta, and Ann Winters; brother, James Winters, III. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM. A Rosary Service will be held 6:00 PM Wednesday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel and the family will receive friends following until 8:30 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Doctors without Borders, PO Box 502, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or NC Center for the Care of Huntington's Disease, 1004 Dresser Ct. Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27609.

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