Shirley A Berger

Shirley Ann Berger (née Zakuto) was born in 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of three children to Lillie Mae and Hyman Zakuto.  As a young girl, Shirley loved to dance, especially tap dance, and was happiest twirling around the dance floor with her brother Bernie (z”l). After graduating high school, Shirley worked as a bookkeeper for several years.  Aside from being an adoring daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and co-worker, her most treasured roles were as wife, mother and grandmother (bubbe).  Shirley married the love of her life, Gerald (“Jerry”), and spent the next 56 years by his side as wife and partner raising their four children. Shirley was incredibly kind and generous.  As a young woman, she was active in ORT America.  Shirley became a regular volunteer at her children’s elementary schools where she wore several hats, and the various teams and organizations her children were involved with.  Shirley and Jerry enjoyed Broadway shows and were subscribers for several years to the Cabrillo Music Theatre production company at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center.  But her true passion was welcoming her family, friends and neighbors into her home and feeding them.  Shirley was an amazing cook – her matzah balls are legendary – and even though she would have tons of leftovers, she never thought she made enough food. Shirley is survived by her husband Jerry, her children Elyse (Devin), Arlene (Dong), Ellen (Bryan) and Mitchell (Eileen), seven grandchildren Keira, Tyler, Mia, Katherine, Taryn, Colin and Patrick, as well as several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Bernard (“Bernie”) and Stanley.