Sally A. Berkes

The world lost a beloved mother and grandmother, Sally A. Berkes “Nan”. She passed away peacefully on March 15^th, 2024 at the age of 78 at Lankenau Medical Hospital. She is survived by her two sons Andrew and Jeffery, her two daughters-in-law Kate and Danielle and her four grandchildren, Kenzie (8), Bryan (6), Bryce (4) and Cassidy (4).

Sally was born in Delaware County, PA to Charles and Sara Reynolds. The most cherished memories of her childhood included vacations, friends, and pets which included dogs, fish, birds and ponies. Sally and her brother (Charles Jr.) shared a pony named Chips and her cousins John and Lois shared a pony named Eagle which were kept in their grandparents’ garage that was converted into two stables. Her family and her cousin’s family lived on each side of her grandfather and grandmothers’ home.

For as long as she could remember, she always wanted to be a nurse.  She spent hours and hours playing nurse with her dolls and loved to help animals in need. She attended Ridley Township Schools and graduated from high school in May of 1963. After graduating she was accepted into the Chester County School of Nursing in West Chester, Pennsylvania where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N) and worked in a nearby hospital for five years. She eventually retired from Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital after 24 ½ years on September 30^th, 2011. She continued to work at least 1 day a week (12hr day) helping a patient in need of care until November 2023.

In December of 1969, she was married to David Berkes and stayed married until 1996. Sally welcomed her first son Andrew Berkes in November 1978 and then her second son Jeffrey Berkes in August of 1980.  In November 1983, Dave and Sally sold their house in a quiet country-like setting and moved into her forever home in West Chester, PA.

Gardening, swimming, singing, dancing, playing the piano, crafts, golf, tennis, and writing were some of her most favorite things to do. For years Sally and her family would travel to Jekyll Island, Georgia where they just loved to relax on the beach, play golf and enjoy time with friends and family.

She had many passions, but writing was at the top of her list. She became interested in writing poetry when she was in high school. The true ignition of writing was sparked by the birth of her sons. Sally had some issues that needed to be surgically corrected to have children and the chance of success was less than 50 percent. She never felt a more sacred, rejoicing or satisfying sense of being as she did when her sons were born. Her dream was to create a book for her sons to hopefully read to their children someday. Sally could not think of anything better than to give a part of her love and life that would live on forever.

On March 23, 2019, and her book was published, entitled “Benny and the Fox”. Benny was her sons Rottweiler and Benny loved her so much. Her neighbor, friend, and talented artist Tim provided stunning illustrations for her book that brought tears to her eyes. The first copies of her book were given to her grandchildren and her dream came true.

She was an example of what love is.  She was funny, goofy, sincere, honest, faithful, determined, kind, considerate, caring, patient, humble, generous, empathetic, reliable, brave, extremely talented, and modest. She was a warrior in every sense of the word and put everyone before herself.  She was an inspiration to so many people and will be deeply missed always and forever.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 10:00-11:00 AM Friday, March 22, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 15 E. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA 19382, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Interment Edgewood Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the American Heart Association on her behalf at www.heart.org.