Marilyn R. Berger, age 91, Lititz, PA passed peacefully on January 17th at her residence in Bent Creek, Lititz, PA.

Born in Springfield, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Julia Dacy Mester. She grew up in Lancaster, Pa and graduated from Sacred Heart of Jesus School and Lancaster Catholic High School; she attended Franklin and Marshall College.

Marilyn was married to the late Lawrence R. Berger, Jr. for 49 years until his passing in 2000. Together Marilyn and Larry owned and operated several local businesses including Berger's Confectionary Store, The Horse Inn and The Paddock Inn.

Upon receiving her real estate license in 1969, Marilyn began her fifty plus year real estate career with Warren Charles Real Estate before opening her own office, Berger Real Estate, in 1979. Throughout much of her career she enjoyed working alongside her daughter, Marilyn Berger Shank and was affiliated with several local and national real estate brokerage firms.

In addition to being an award-winning real estate producer, Marilyn was also a partner in several local business ventures including Emily's Gallimaufry, Molly's Pub, Lime Spring Farm Wedding and Event Center, and Signey's Little Houses. She was also involved in many real estate projects including the Golden Triangle Shopping Center, Running Pump Business Center and Northgate, a residential and commercial redevelopment project in Lancaster City.

Marilyn's interests included contract bridge, pinochle, golf, bowling and skiing. Marilyn also enjoyed Sunday trips to Black Angus to collect art and antiques, watching classic films and she especially enjoyed ballroom dancing, cheek to cheek, in the arms of her husband.

Marilyn was renowned for her love of hosting a party, regardless of the occasion. She reveled in being the quintessential hostess of gatherings such as an annual Thanksgiving eve soiree, Halloween costume parties, Cinco De Mayo fiestas, class reunions, and countless holiday celebrations.

Marilyn enjoyed yearly family trips to Avalon, New Jersey to celebrate her birthday and spend quality time with family.

She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, the Lancaster Catholic High School Alumni Association, Bent Creek CC, Meadia Heights CC, Conestoga CC, The Hamilton Club, the DAR, the Lancaster Elks Club and the Iris Club.

Marilyn's professional affiliations included the Lancaster County Association of Realtors, PA Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors and the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. She served as the Finance Chair for the Lancaster County Republican Party and sat on the board of directors of S&T Bank.

Marilyn's many community and charitable interests included the annual Heart Ball, the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, the American Heart Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Fulton Theatre, Aaron's Acres, IU 13, St. Joseph's Hospital Auxillary, Music in Every Home, Red Rose Bright Focus Foundation, LCHS Spring Musical/Arts and the Red Rose Film Festival. For years she enjoyed supporting her beloved Dominican nuns.

Marilyn cherished her long relationship with the Lancaster Catholic High School community. She served as the Alumni Association Class Representative for the Class of 1950 and was active on the Cherish, Love and Honor Capital Campaign Leadership Committee. Her many accomplishments and contributions were recognized by the school when she was honored with the Alumni Citation for Outstanding Professional Achievement in 2007. At the Lancaster Catholic High School Purple and Gold Gala in 2019, Marilyn received the prestigious Saint John Paul II Excellence in Leadership Award from the school. That award has only been given 5 times in the history of the school.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Lawrence "Larry" Berger, III and his wife Donavee; daughters, Marilyn Berger Shank, Theresa Stengel, and her husband Lawrence; son Daniel Berger and his wife Linda; eight grandchildren: Ryan Shank and his wife Abigail, Theresa Pierce and her husband Michael, Ashley Shank, Peter Stengel, Julia Stengel, Joseph Stengel, Daniel Berger, Jr. and his wife Kacie, Kimberly Berger; step grandchildren Timothy M. Stengel and his wife Kristan and Emily Stengel Lyons and her husband Patrick. She leaves behind four great grandchildren, Sienna, Ramon Jr., Jackson and Koen as well as five step great grandchildren, Henry, William and Margaret Stengel ad Francis and Lucy Lyons.

In addition to her parents and husband she was predeceased by siblings, Ernest Mester, Lois Clement and Robert Mester.

Marilyn's family are deeply grateful for the compassionate care she received from many dedicated people from Home Instead, Willow Valley, Glass Team Consulting, Hospice and Community Care, doctors and nurses at Penn State Health Lancaster, the team at the Penn State Lancaster Infusion Center and several committed and skilled in-home care givers.

The Family will receive friends at a viewing on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 5 pm until 8 pm at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. A rosary recitation will be held at 8pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

There will be a second viewing in the St. Mary's Chapel of Sacred Heart Church 558 West Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, before Mass from 9:30am until 11am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Marilyn's memory to Lancaster Catholic High School 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601, Sacred Heart of Jesus School 235 Nevin St. Lancaster, PA 17603 or the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development 625 Community Way Lancaster, PA 17603.