Carol Ann Berryman, 62, Had Strong Religious Faith

Carol Ann (Rice) Berryman of Tisbury, known to many as Mimi, died at her home in Tisbury on August 24 after a long and courageous battle with cancer that claimed her life but could not diminish her spirit. She was 62.

Carol left this life as she lived it, surrounded by the family she cherished. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and remembered fondly for her kind heart, unshakable faith in God, and complete love and devotion to her many grandchildren.

She was born in Lyndonville, Vt., on Sept. 4, 1943, the daughter of Harold John and Olivette Grenier Rice and grew up on the family farm there. She attended the Lyndonville public schools and was graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1961.

In March 1964, she was married to Robert Francis Berryman (who died July 25, 2000), and their marriage was ended in 1975.

She worked as a baker and a chef for most of her life, in restaurants, hotels and bakeries all along the East Coast. She was best known for creating cakes for every occasion, and especially for her wedding cakes. In the spring of 1988, her travels brought her to the Vineyard, where she remained for the rest of her life. Her Vermont childhood home and the Great Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tenn., were her other favorite places.

Her strong faith in God was a hallmark of her life, and she attended Pentecostal churches everywhere she lived. Most recently, she attended the Vineyard Assembly of God Church regularly until her illness.

She is survived by her three brothers, Michael W. Rice, Richard J. Rice and John H. Rice, all of Vermont. She also leaves her seven children and their families, including: Barry L. Berryman of Vanceboro, N.C., and his daughter, Ashley; Stephanie E. Berryman-DePaula of Tisbury, her husband, Jose Claudio DePaula, and their children, Alekzandria, Scott, Diego, Rodrigo, Thiago and Lucas; her daughter, Marcia B. DeAngelis-Ori of Lyndonville, Vt., and her children, John, Joseph and Julia Theresa; her son, Brian K. Berryman of Yarmouth, Me., his wife, Catherine Ann, and their son, Jonathan Paul; her daughter, JenniferLyn A. Berryman of Tisbury; her daughter, Leslie M. DeOliviera, and her daughters, Brandy Marie and Denim Lace; and her daughter, Theresa A. Berryman-Moore of Oak Bluffs and her children, Emma Olivette, Savannah Margaret and Jasper Hale, and her granddaughter, Jasmine Reed of Oak Bluffs.

A memorial service was held August 28 at 1 p.m. at the Vineyard Assembly of God Church in Tisbury with a reception immediately following. A second memorial service will be held at the Rice family farm on Pudding Hill in Lyndonville, Vt., on Friday, Sept. 1, at 3 p.m. with a reception immediately following.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Flowers may be sent or, in lieu of, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02568; Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the charity of one's choice.

Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for more information, Mrs. Berryman's video tribute and an online guestbook.