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Mira Tetkowski Berkley, of Fredonia, NY, died unexpectedly on February 14, 2024 at Brooks Memorial Hospital.
Mira was born on June 19, 1952 in Buffalo, NY. She spent most of her childhood on Grand Island, with a couple of years spent living in Siena, Italy. Through this experience, she developed a lifelong passion for travel and Italian culture.
Mira received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Cornell University and her Master’s Degree from Buffalo State. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work as a preschool teacher. There she met her husband of 46 years, Jack Berkley. After getting married, they moved to Arizona where they had their first child, Jory, and then to Fredonia, NY, where they had their second son, Alexander, and where they lived for the next 40 years. Mira worked as a kindergarten teacher in Silver Creek before becoming a college professor at Jamestown Community College for several years. During this time, she worked on and earned her PhD from the University of Buffalo, eventually leading to a position at SUNY Fredonia where she served as chair of the early childhood department. Mira led several overseas trips for students to learn from other cultures, including to Wales, England, Belize, and Italy. She was a lifelong advocate for learning through play. Upon retiring from SUNY Fredonia, Mira worked for Quality Stars training Pre-K teachers in New York City. Mira’s influence on her students and the impact that she had on children in New York State is incalculable. She loved Dipper ice cream, walking dogs to the creek, and monarch butterflies. Mira leaves behind her loving husband, Jack; her son, Alex (Kayleigh); four grandchildren: Clemmie, Polly, Evan, and Caroline. She also leaves behind her mother, Lenore Tetkowski; her brother, Neil (Olga) Tetkowski; her sister, Diane (Ron) Pokorski, and many close nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a great-great niece.
She was predeceased by her son, Jory and her father, Clement Tetkowski. Mira made everyone she met feel like the most important person in the world. Her memory is our blessing.
A memorial service will be held and announced this summer. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON- TIMKO Funeral Home.
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