Josephine Berry Sinclair
Josephine Berry Sinclair, 79, passed away at her home on Friday, March 29, 2024. Jo is survived by her brother, Joseph Nelson Berry (Laura), her son, Scott Sinclair (Marjorie), her daughter, Jennifer Cartwright (George), her grandchildren, Tyler Sinclair and Piper and Matilda Cartwright and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Thomas Sinclair, their son, Jason Sinclair, her parents, Joseph and Thelma Berry and infant twin brothers, Billy and Bobby Berry.
Jo was a 1962 graduate of Hampton High School and one of the first groups of students at Christopher Newport College. She married her husband in August 1964 and was mainly a stayat-home mom while her children were younger. She later opened a stained-glass window store, The Crystal Unicorn, and worked various jobs. She was a great hostess of family and social events which included annual New Year’s Day brunches, Sweethearts Dinners and Death by Chocolate parties. She enjoyed sharing her talents with her church family as well as members of her Red Hat Society, The She Crabs. She was blessed with artistic talents and created many beautiful stained-glass windows as well as exquisite knitted creations. She was an author of a Christian children’s book, Fern the Little Christmas Tree and she was granted a patent for a stained-glass carousel. She cared for her grandchildren when they were younger and later her husband while he was having health issues. In 2021, she was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She bravely faced this disease and all its complications heroically with her daughter as her constant companion and caregiver. A special thanks to her cousin Earl Gleason of Fork, SC and her niece Susan Berry of Hillsville, VA, who provided emotional support during this trying time and her private duty nurse, Zack’Cema Berkley of Newport News, VA, who provided loving weekend care. Heartland Hospice provided exceptional medical care during her final days.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wythe Presbyterian Church on April 13, 2024 at 10 AM with a livestream of the service on the church’s Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to the ALS Association.