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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Berryhill, Colette Marie

Age 84

BERRYHILL, Colette Marie Colette Marie Berryhill, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, fos-ter mother, and friend, died April 16, 2015.

Colette was born February 26th, 1931 in Pantin, France.

At the age of 21 she came to the United States where she became a US Citizen.

She met the love of her life, Emery (Gene) Berryhill, and married him three weeks later.

She worked as a full charge bookkeeper for the Air Force until 1962 when they adopted their first child Brigitte.

Five years later they adopted their second child David.

Unfortunately Gene passed away at age 35, leaving Colette to raise her two children alone.

Colette was a stay at home mother.

She loved children, working as a day care provider and also a nursery school teacher for a nursery school she had in the home.

Colette was passionate about helping people less fortunate.

She was very active in helping the Vietnamese refugees resettle in Spokane.

In later years she became a foster parent, fostering over 100 children.

She had a love for family, and loved to cook for family gatherings.

She introduced the French traditions to all her family and friends, and those traditions will continue to be passed on.

Colette had a love for reading, for knitting, traveling, and for cooking.

She was a member of the French Club and a past president for Parents without Partners.

She is survived by her daughter Brigitte DeVincentis; her son David Berryhill; her grandchildren Ryan, Gabrielle, Amanda, and Kyle; her extended grandchildren, Greg, Christina, Michael (Sonja) and extended great-grandchildren, Mikey, Chelsea, Kendall, Noah and Sawyer; special foster daughters, Holly, Brandi, Nora, and Marie.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 at 2:00pm, Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall Spokane, Washington 99208.

Reception to follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to: