Mary Lewis Bergman
Mary Lewis Bergman, age 85, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Mary Lew was born in Lynchburg, Virginia and as a child lived in several southern states. She was a daughter of the late Elmo and Nellie (Johns) Davis. Mary Lew graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Lynchburg College and a Master’s degree from Crozer Theological Seminary. It was while a student at Crozer that she met and married the Reverand Ronald Bergman.
Mary Lew held several jobs throughout her life, the most recent of which was Marketing Manager at Winterthur Museum. An avid reader, Mary Lew was involved in reading groups and discussion groups over the years. One such group was SWEL (Smart Women Eating Lunch) where she loved to interact with the members, discussing various topics. A lover and supporter of the Arts, she enjoyed attending the opera as well as the Delaware Symphony, Brandywine Baroque, Philadelphia Symphony, and plays at the University of Delaware. Mary Lew was also an active member of Silverside Church and very much enjoyed interacting with other members.
In addition to her parents, Mary Lew was predeceased by her sister, Margaret “Peggy” Todd. Mary Lew is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Ronald Sr.; sons and daughters-in-laws, Ronald Jr. (Shawna) and Joseph (Heather); grandchildren, Conor, Eric, Kiersten, and Christopher; as well as many nephews and nieces.
A brief celebration of Mary Lew’s life will begin at 3 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Silverside Church, 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, followed by the spreading of her ashes. A light reception will follow in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Silverside Church, at the address listed above or online by clicking here; or to the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 1003, Wilmington, DE 19801 or online by clicking here.
Bruce Keller
Ron. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. We go back many years to when you served at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church and Skyline Methodist Church.
Bruce Keller
Judy and Hays Butler
Sending loving thoughts to Mary Lew’s wonderful family. She was a very special woman – warm, funny, intelligent. She will be missed by many.
virginia bennett
Ron, I am so sorry that Mary Lew has died. She was a great spirit and a wonderful woman. We had such fun. Your former neighbor, Ginny Bennett
Mary Ann Evans
Ron, Sympathy to you and your whole family. I remember you both fondly from St. Paul’s UM Church.
Mary Ann Evans
thomas pierson
Ron, I am sooo sorry to learn of Mary Lew’s passing, it comes as such a shock i cannot comprehend this has happened. I think of you often and speak frequently of how you helped to get involved at Asbury. I know the pain your going through, i’ve lost my Ellen, my brother Ron and just this year my oldest daughter Tammy. I want you to know, i’ll be praying for you and the family on this All Saints Sunday, my deepest condolances to you Ron.
Donna Beltz
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Remembering our circle meetings.
Frank Ferriola
Ron, My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Mary Martin
Ron and Family – Sending loving thoughts to you all. Your family was such a wonderful addition during your time at St. Paul’s Church – many lovely memories. Mary Lew was a wonderful lady and knowing that she is in God’s hands and pain-free must be very comforting. I had hoped to be at the service today but cannot be there. Will be thinking of you all with love.
Gail A. Stanislow
So sorry to be just now posting this. I was so saddened to hear of Mary Lew’s passing. She was a wonderful person and was always so nice to me. I first met Mary Lew at a Delaware Bibliophiles meeting in the mid-1990s. She was so vivacious and enthusiastic about books and all of the things everyone collected, and we had many great conversations about books and ephemera. I had started working at Winterthur Museum about that time, so I saw her there often, too. When I transferred down to the Manuscripts and Ephmera Collection, Mary Lew and othes from the Marketing Department would come down to look at the materials in the collection for ideas for products. I loved helping them find things, and when I would come across some images that I thought they might like, I’d dash off an email to tell them about what I found. They would always come to see what I found right away, and they did sometimes use the images I found on the new products, which was so thrilling to me! Mary Lew was so sweet, and gave me one of the scarves that they had made based on the Manuscript Collection images. I still have that scarf and treasure it. Even after she retired, we kept in touch and caught up at our D.B. meetings. Sometimes I also saw her when she visited the Brandywine River Museum, where I worked after leaving Winterthur. I think about her often and miss her very much! I wish I had gotten in touch with her before she passed away to let her know how much I valued our friendship.