Natalie Berkin

Natalie Larissa Pavelovna (Tschuchry) Berkin, 91, of Neshaminy Manor in Warrington, PA, formerly of Yardley, PA, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2014. Natalie, also known as Natasha, was born July 14, 1923 in Ahrensburg (near Hamburg), Germany. She was the wife of George M. Berkin, whom she married in September 1943 and who predeceased her in March 2012. She was the only child of the late Paul and Lydia Chuchnin (Anglicized version of Tschuchry).Natalie is survived by her five children, George G. Berkin (Cheryl) of Morrisville, PA; Andre G. Berkin (Patricia) of Barboursville, VA; Alexandra G. Grishin (Andrei) of Bear, DE; Michael G. Berkin (Shirley) of Drayden, MD; and Peter G. Berkin (April) of Morrisville, PA. Additionally, she had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Natalie's parents were émigrés from Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution, settling in Germany with relatives. She described her life growing up in Germany as dirt poor but happy. Her father immigrated to New York City, and in 1937 Natalie and her mother joined him, taking up residence in a Russian boarding house. A fine student and athlete, Natalie attended high school in Manhattan, NY, where she excelled in academics and swimming and was voted by her classmates as "Most Likely to Succeed."During the time her husband was at sea with the Merchant Marines, Natalie was a nursing assistant in NYC and New Jersey hospitals. A skilled rumba dancer, she also was a part-time dance instructor for Arthur Murray Studios. When her husband left the Merchant Marines and joined IBM, Natalie devoted herself to being a full-time homemaker. She and her family resided in Rockaway, NJ; Poughkeepsie, NY; Endicott, NY; Muiderberg, Netherlands; Rochester, MN; McLean, VA; Fairfax, VA; Charlotte, NC; Fairless Hills, PA; and Yardley, PA, where they settled in 1976. In her later years, Natalie suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and was well cared for at Neshaminy Manor.Natalie was fluent in German, Russian, and English, and she learned Dutch when she lived in Holland. Natalie enjoyed traveling. In 1969, she and her husband traveled with a business group to Soviet Russia where they met Khrushchev. Other memorable trips included visits to Europe, Hawaii, and several of the National Parks in Western US and Canada. In 1963, she successfully soloed as a private pilot. During the 1970s, she went back to school to continue her nursing education. Natalie loved to cook and specialized in Russian cuisine. She was an avid gardener, both outdoors and indoors, with an affinity for African Violets. She loved to dance to the music of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Harry Belafonte. She was a much beloved mother, counselor, and friend to her children and "Babu" to her grandchildren and she will be sorely missed.A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 9AM at the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, 41 West Trenton Avenue, Morrisville, PA 19067. Interment will follow at St. Vladimir's Cemetery, 316 Cassville Road, Jackson, NJ 08527.

Calling Hours
Thursday, January 9, 2014
09:00:00 - 10:15:00
J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel
41 W. Trenton Ave.
Morrisville PA

Funeral Service
Friday, January 9, 2015
12:00:00
St. Vladimir Church
134 Perrineville Rd.
Jackson NJ

Burial
Friday, January 9, 2015
13:00:00
St. Vladimir Church Cemetery
316 Cassville Rd.
Jackson NJ

Eulogies and Services
Friday, January 9, 2015
10:15:00 - 11:15:00
J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel
41 W. Trenton Ave.
Morrisville PA