CLAUDETTE BERRY
Claudette Jean (Lewis) Berry, of Fair Oaks, California passed away on July 16, 2021, at the age of 84. Claudette was born September 26, 1936, in Williston, North Dakota to parents Alfred and Madolin Lewis. She grew up in Minot, North Dakota, where she attended Minot High School. She attended Minot State University, where she was Yearbook Editor, Yearbook Queen and Miss Minot, and was a runner-up in the Miss North Dakota Pageant.
She went back to school as an adult and earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History and a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento. She was on the Dean’s List for all her time in school, and she achieved all of this while working full-time, and as a single parent. Although she was proud of this, Claudette always said that her greatest accomplishment was raising her two wonderful daughters, Kendall and Kelly.
Claudette worked for sixteen years in the San Juan Unified School District, primarily in the personnel department and for the Board of Education. From there she went on to Lodi Unified School District, first as the Director of Classified Personnel, and then as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Employee Relations, the job she held until she retired. Claudette loved her career and always had interesting stories to share. She was highly respected and trusted in her field. Her knowledge and intelligence, and calm and kind demeanor were highly valued. She loved to laugh. Over the years, she formed strong bonds and lifelong friendships with many of her co-workers. She also remained close to many old friends from her childhood.
Claudette excelled in all things creative. She delighted in making her home a beautiful showplace, and after she retired, she loved nothing more than being in her craft room, creating cards that were true works of art. She was moved by all things beautiful, be it a painting or sculpture, a well-crafted passage in a book, a musical recording, or the wonders of the natural world. She loved visiting lakes and the ocean and frequently went with her daughter Kelly to feed the ducks at the American River. Children also brought her great joy, and she was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Dakota and Cooper.
Claudette was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Madolin Lewis; and her brother, Dennis Lewis. She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Berry and Kendall Berry Morlan; her son-in-law, Michael Morlan; her grandchildren, Dakota Morlan and Cooper Morlan; her sister, Maxine (Mickey) Lewis Corriea and brother-in-law, Henry (Hank) Corriea; her nephew, Greg Bodine and his wife Tonja; her aunt, Mabel Farroh; and her cousins, Wanda Farroh, Carol Farroh Mogstad, and Steve Farroh.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the Lake Natoma Inn, 702 Gold Lake Drive, in Folsom, California. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Claudette to the American Heart Association.
Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/guestbook.