Alice Mary Berling

Alice Mary Berling of Plano, Texas passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023. She was 88 years old. Alice was kind and generous; she loved her faith and family above all.  Alice will be remembered fondly and missed dearly by all who knew her.

Alice, the oldest of six children, was born in Poth, Texas to Ed and Florence Pollok. Born into a family of Polish immigrants, Alice had fond memories growing up on the family farm before moving to San Antonio in 1939. A third-generation American, Alice spoke Polish until the first grade, then learned English in school and taught the rest of her family to speak English as well.

Alice met Fred Berling in New Braunfels, Texas when she was 19 years old. The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew they were meant for each other. They married and remained deeply in love their entire lives. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary before Fred’s passing in 2020.

Alice and Fred welcomed three children into their family: Cheryl, Guy, and Paul. A talented homemaker, Alice was known for her cooking, baking, and her talent as a seamstress. Through children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Alice knew exactly what recipes her loved ones enjoyed most and would take the time to cook or bake favorite dishes for birthdays, holidays, and family get-togethers. Her family couldn’t wait for her Thanksgiving and Christmas “Alice special recipes”. She also made handmade clothes, quilts, embroidered treasures, and lasting mementos that her family holds dear.

In her free time, Alice enjoyed playing games and was frequently found at her computer playing Spider Solitaire. She loved hosting friends at their home in Frisco to play cards or dominoes including their favorites: Texas 42, Hand and Foot, and Mexican Train. Alice was dearly loved by her family and friends, and get-togethers were full of laughter and joy.

Alice is remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Sullivan and husband Bill, son Guy Berling and wife Brenda, son Paul Berling and wife Erin, her grandchildren: Billy Sullivan and wife Brittany, Matthew Sullivan and wife Allison, Brittney Berling, and Connor Berling, and her great-grandchildren: Audrey and Luke Sullivan, and Henry Sullivan, and her siblings Raymond Pollok, Annie Cottingham, Sigmond Pollok, Clara Key, and Dorothy Francone as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Frederick Joseph Berling and her parents, Edward Benedict Pollok and Florence Susan Laskowski.

The family is most grateful for all who tenderly cared for our mother during her illness, particularly the Memory Care team at Day Spring Senior Living.

There will be a memorial mass to celebrate Alice’s life at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 14, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Faith Formation Chapel, 3100 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas, officiated by The Rev. Bruce Bradley.  There will be a reception to follow the service.

Alice will be laid to rest at the Calvary Hill Cemetery Mausoleum with her husband Fred in Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation by check to Day Spring Senior Living, 6400 Cheyenne Trail, Plano, Texas 75023.