Lucy Ann Miller Berry
04/01/1957 – 10/21/2023
USA Boccia salutes the life of Lucy Berry. The Berry family is a huge part of USA Boccia. Lucy will be
remembered and greatly missed at practices, tournaments and planning committees.
These are a sampling of messages from our membership:
Like many others, I was shocked and greatly saddened to hear of Lucy’s passing.
Lucy impacted and touched so many with her words and presence. She leaves behind family
and friends who miss her dearly. This includes all those who knew her through her tireless
dedication to the sport of Boccia here in Kansas City and in many other places.
It was because of Boccia that I first met Lucy over 20 years ago. I always looked forward to
seeing her at practices or tournaments to catch up, share a laugh or get an update about her
kids of which she was immensely proud. More recently, she was always kind to my mom who
enjoyed chatting with Lucy whenever they met. I will always appreciate her doing that. She was
just such a joy and bright light.
Lucy was always with a smile and someone you wanted to be around. She helped so many and
in so many ways in the manner she lived her life. Her loss is profound, not just to her family and
friends, but also to all those fortunate enough to have met her and benefited from her devotion
to the sport of Boccia. Her impact and legacy will last for many years.
My sincerest condolences to Lucy’s family and all those who love her.
-Owen Geisz (Blue Valley Boccia Mid America Games, Kansas City)
Ever since I’ve been a part of Boccia, Lucy Berry has been there at the tournament- whether in
Topeka, in KC or at Nationals. Whenever something was needed…there she was! Nick Taylor
These are a few of my favorite things that Lucy gave USA Boccia:
Loan bank Administrator, Sport Assistant, Coach, Nominating and Governance Chair,
Registration Desk, Competition Planning Committee, Call Room Clerk- Mid America Games,
Linesperson, Referee, International Competition Committee, Lunchroom Hostess, Hospitality
Committee, and Donor. As I look through my texts to Lucy, I see how often I touched base with
her, sometimes with photos of family , equipment that we needed to prepare for a tournament,
or contacts for someone that needed to be called. My plan is to keep this list of texts for a long,
long time. We miss you, Lucy – Cathy Drobny
I’m really speechless. Lucy welcomed us into the Boccia world with open arms. Always made us
feel like we were special for being there. Becca and I will miss her greatly! Prayers for Troy and
her entire family! -Karen Payne
Lucy was a wonderful and kind friend who always was looking out for everyone. She loved and
cared about you as friend/family member. I always looked forward to Boccia Nationals and
seeing Lucy there. The impact that she made will always be with me. Thank you, Lucy for all you
did, may you always be an angel watching over us all. –With lots of love, hugs, and support.
Candace
When Lucy and I were working together for an International Boccia tournament…
We were notified that there was only one room that had an accessible shower and we had
approximately 60 athletes. We were asked “what are we going to do for showers?”
Lucy and I said easy, we’re just going to make up a schedule that people have to sign up for. So I
made the grid, she put it in front of her.
She sat there for days with the shower schedule and whenever anyone said, ”gosh I wish I had a
shower”, she said “come on over and pick a time” – Lee Graybeal
I always called her my Diet Coke lady, cuz every time we were at a competition or an event, she
would always have a tray or box of Diet coke in my room. =Bruce Ashby
In 2017 I went to Kansas City for the World Open. Leading up to the event I worked with Lucy on
the details of having Canadian candidates travel to Kansas City for the classification courses. It
definitely wasn’t an easy thing to pull together, but Lucy and all the organizers were always very
cheerful, helpful and accommodating.
It was such a pleasure to meet Lucy and her family in person in Kansas City and I remember her
being so lovely and accommodating. Which turned out wonderfully for me, because before I left
home, my daughter (who was mad for Harry Potter) had found an amazing Harry Potter
comforter that she just HAD to have – except it was only available in the United States.
While I was in Kansas, I thought I’d be really smart, and order it for delivery to my hotel room
and then bring it home with me as a surprise. The surprise ended up being that it didn’t get
delivered until after I was already back home in Canada.
So now, there’s a box with my name on it at a hotel in Kansas City, and I have no way to pick it
up, let alone get it to Canada. Enter Lucy to save the day. I only reached out to her to ask for
suggestions, but Lucy just went ahead solved the whole thing – she picked up the box, mailed it
year old) daughters’ favourite things, and I think of Lucy with appreciation every time I see it.
=Jennifer Larson, Program Manager Boccia Canada
These are some stories from Lucy’s life (outside of Boccia)
Lucy was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Growing up, Lucy enjoyed time with her family, those in
Kansas City and those in Mt. Vernon, MO. She frequently told stories to her children, about going to
grandma’s house for the summer to pick and can food, and even ‘deal’ with the chickens.
Lucy and David met in a local bowling league at Strike N Spare and had a romantic first date at the local
Wendy’s after bowling one night. They enjoyed movie and craft nights together and ultimately had the
joy of raising three kids together.
On top of being a wonderful mother to her three kids, she was also beloved as the local soccer mom,
boccia mom, band and choir mom, and second mom to all of their friends. She always made sure she
was there for the important moments, the concerts and festivals, homecoming, tournaments and so
much more.
Though she was a very busy mother, sister, daughter and more, with her spare time she enjoyed crafting
and watching Hallmark movies.
Lucy is survived by her husband David Berry, her children, Kevin, Troy and Megan Berry, her mother,
Betty Miller, her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Rick Shineman, and her nephews, Richard and
Steven Shineman, and their families.
Here are a few photos.
