Monique Berg

Monique Berg of Key Biscayne, Fla., and Traverse City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, at Sister Emanuel of Mercy Hospital in Miami after a short illness.

Monique was born in Shreveport, La., on Aug. 30, 1938, the daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth Cook.

Monique graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in music with a minor in voice.

She embarked on a musical career after graduation, becoming an entertainer and singing her way into the hearts of people from New Orleans to New York City.

In Miami, On June 2, 1978, she married Donald Berg, who was born and raised in the Suttons Bay area. The two spent summers for many years at their home in Traverse City.

Monique was a devoted wife, loving aunt and wonderful friend. She had a zest for life and love for people from all walks of life. Regardless of where she traveled, within a short time everyone became her friend. She always had a story (or a joke) to tell about the interesting places and remarkable people and dignitaries she visited all over the world with her husband, Don.

Monique was a generous and giving person, spending tireless hours volunteering with numerous charities in South Florida as a fundraiser and board member. Her charity work included Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the American Red Cross.

Monique and her husband were members of the Miami Jockey Club, Surf Club in Miami, the Key Biscayne Yacht Club and the Traverse City Golf and Country Club.

Her family will miss Monique's sense of humor, her laugh and, of course, all her jokes. Her gatherings were a stage for her exceptional voice and talent, entertaining friends and family alike. "Send in the Clowns" will be especially missed. Those close to her now imagine her standing there, nudging St. Peter, saying, "No, really, have you heard the one about."

In addition to her husband, Don, she is survived by her stepchildren, Don (Kim) Berg II of Traverse City, Billie Ann Berg and Helen Berg-Kleinpeter of Melbourne Beach, Fla.; sister, Margie Litton of Mansfield, La.; nephew, Dewayne (Terry) Chreene of Mansfield, La.; niece, Delorse (Mike) Potts of Dallas, Texas; great-nieces, Deanna (Tom) Lockie of Naples, Fla., and Carol Hawthorne of Shreveport, La.; great-nephews, Dan, David and Dustin Chreene; great-great-niece, Jaime Krogen; great-great-great-niece, Marley Krogen; sister-in-law, Bernice Drake; and brother-in-law, Kenneth (Cherrie) Berg, both of Traverse City.

Her parents, brothers, Harmon and Leonard B. Cook, and nephew, Don Chreene preceded her in death.

A memorial service will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City on Nov. 13, 2008, at 11 a.m., with visitation an hour earlier at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bingham Township.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society.