Proud Democrat, loved traveling, bridge, tennis
Published March 18, 2021
NORTH READING — Marie Annette D’Andrea Berndtson passed away peacefully on Friday, March 5, 2021 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She lived an amazing life of 90 years and spent her final days with family by her side.
She was born May 19, 1930 in Bridgeport, Conn., to Anthony “Andy” and Gayle D’Andrea. She was predeceased by her dear siblings, Joetta Fredericks and her husband David, and Dolores Quinn and her husband Jack. Marie was raised in Bridgeport and grew up with her large extended Italian family and spent summers visiting her mother’s relatives in Eustis, Maine.
Marie was formerly married to Charles Berndtson (who predeceased her by 11 days). Married life took her on many adventures to new locations in New York, Maine, Virginia, Marshall Islands, and California. But her deepest roots were anchored in North Reading where she loved her family, friends and the four seasons.
Marie had many interests: she was a proud Democrat, kept close track of current events, and loved a good political discussion. Marie enjoyed playing tennis and watching professional tennis, especially Wimbledon. She traveled extensively and enjoyed many winter trips to Florida with her best friend, Billie Skerrett. She supported many charities and was a member of Mass Audubon since 1975. Marie was a founding member of the bridge club started in 1962 in North Reading, which continues to this day. She was an avid reader and a member of the North Reading book club. She was also a member of the Friends of the North Reading Council on Aging and served on its town wide yard sale committee. Marie was an enthusiastic day-tripper and started a group at the Senior Center that organized trips to the BSO, Gardner Museum and lobster bakes, among others.
She worked as a real estate agent and property manager for many years.
She was very proud of her seven grandchildren and attended many of their sporting events, graduations and activities over the years.
She was the loving mother of Carl and his wife Anne of Kennebunkport, Maine; David and his wife Deborah of Vienna, Virginia; Karen of Watertown; and Marcia Edson and her husband Jim of Reading. She was the beloved grandmother of Chad, Aaron, Ellen, Rachel, Jimmy, Nick and Andrew and great-grandmother of Emma, Clive, Maeve, Leo and Samantha. Marie is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date.
Donations in Marie’s memory may be made to: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/
Go to: “Donation, Tribute” and follow prompts (send Ecard acknowledgement to: M Edson MarieBdonation@gmail.com).
To donate by check, go to “Donation, Mail, Tribute” and print a donation form to be mailed to: Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.
