Thursday, March 14, 2013

Miriam Berghuis Obituary

The compassionate and nurturing Miriam Berghuis passed away by natural causes on March 13th 2013. Because of her generosity, ability to connect with others and her commitment to family and friends, memories of her will be shared forever. Miriam will be remembered as an exemplar wife, extraordinary mother, and infamous grand and great grandmother. Born in Havana, Cuba on July 31st 1936 she was the daughter of Esther Diego and Jose Manuel Valdes-Gallol. In the summer of 1944, young Miriam moved to New York City. In 1953 she moved to South Florida and attended Coral Gables High School. Miriam attended The University of Miami where she studied education and fell in love with her charming life long husband Kenneth. Miriam soon there after became the active and incredibly proud mother of Cindy Pickersgill and Scott Berghuis. As a mother and active member in her community her time was purposefully spent in the successful pursuit of helping others. Her courageous battle with epilepsy led Miriam to serve on the Board of The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. As the years on her small farm passed and her children became adults, the nurturing guidance they received allowed them to find love and they too had children. Miriam was the engaged grandmother of Ashley Daniels, Eric Pickersgill, Joey Berghuis and Matthew Berghuis. Becoming a grandparent was not only a commitment to endless summer days of game playing and swimming but it also afforded her the opportunity to work at Avocado Elementary as a volunteer and substitute teacher. Miriam and Kenneth retired in 2000 to central florida where they enjoyed several adventurous years of travel and camaraderie with new and life long friends. Miriam and Kenneth spent the past 6 years in Denver North Carolina living close to her daughter Cindy and have enjoyed the company of great grand children Coltyn and Elena Daniels and Rylan Berghuis. Miriam is survived by her husband Kenneth Berghuis, sisters Nancy, Lillian, Vivian, Hilda and brother in law Ray, sisters in law Ginny and Geneva, daughter Cindy and her husband Glenn, son Scott and his wife Tammy, several nieces and nephews loving family members.

  In lieu of flowers, donations in Miriam's memory to The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida 1200 Northwest 78th Avenue Ste 400 Miami FL 33126 would be deeply appreciated.

  A memorial service will be held 3:00 pm on Saturday March 16th at Good Samaritan Funeral Home 3362 North Highway 16 Denver, NC 704-483-2124