Obituary of Patricia Anne Merriam Berten

Patricia “Patt” Anne Merriam Berten of South Venice, Florida formally of Durham, Connecticut, passed away on October 30, 2006. She was born on November 12, 1932 in Meriden, Connecticut. Patt graduated from Durham High School and extended her education at Wesleyan University and Southern Connecticut State University. She married Henry A. Berten and joined the Berten Family on Hickory Valley Farm in Durham. On the farm, Patt raised her four children, was confidante and counselor to any soul who needed a safe, non-judgmental haven, and was a rescuer and friend to every kind of animal. In Connecticut she was a volunteer for the American Red Cross as a disaster shelter manger for many years and served on the Durham, Connecticut Planning and Zoning Committee. For the last fifteen years, Mrs. Berten was a courier for Quest Diagnostics and consistent friend to numerous physician offices in the Suncoast area. She was an active volunteer for the Suncoast Humane Society and its pet therapy program. Patricia is survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Henry A. Berten, four children R. Kim Berten (Susan), Cynthia Berten Blackwelder (Albert), Claire Denise Berten and Catherine Berten Gutch (David); four grandchildren, Kasey Berten Blackwelder, David Jonathan Gutch, Jr., Jaimie Michelle Gutch, and Connor Henry Gutch. Patt leaves three siblings in CT, Sharon Merriam Graichen of Middlefield, Ronald Otte Merriam of Northford, and George Underhill Merriam of Durham. She was preceded in death at a young age by her mother, Frances Gertrude Struzinski; parents Archer Rice Merriam and Marjorie Otte Merriam. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 3, 2006 at 11 AM at Colonial Baptist Church, 2400 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice, FL, officiated be Pastor Kerry Feathers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Patricia to the Suncoast Humane Society 941-474-7884, 6781 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL 34224 or the Colonial Baptist Church 941-492-4678, 2400 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice, FL 34293. Friends may visit anytime online at www.farleyfuneralhome.com to sign a guest register book and extend condolences to the Berten family.