Mary Hedrick Berles Lindsay of Vero Beach, Florida, and East Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at the age of 79. She was born December 31, 1941, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan at Blodgett Memorial Hospital to the late Marian Hedrick Berles and Frank Donald Berles. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 37 years, Leslie Dale Lindsay, son Richard Allen VerStrate (Tricia), daughter Michelle (“Dolly”) VerStrate, step-children, Lisa Arsenault, Jen Lindsay Zuckerman (Seth), and Ian Lindsay (Jen), grandchildren Sarah Barnes (Dave), Shelby VerStrate (Cam), Garrett VerStrate (Valerie), Amelia Arsenault, Nicholas Zuckerman, Leda Lindsay, great-grandchild, Griffin Barnes, sister in law, Mary Kay Berles, niece Kathy Berles Duisterhof and nephew, Jim Berles. She was preceded in death by her only brother, David Hedrick Berles (Mary Kay) on November 3, 2021.

Mary was a member of the Grand Rapids Junior League and the Steketee Guild at Blodgett Memorial Hospital. She modeled for 60 years. At the urging of the Amway photographer at the time, Mary and friend Sandy Gravengood opened the first modeling agency in Grand Rapids. They co-owned Faces, Ltd. for 12 years. Mary was honored to be selected as Homecoming Queen at both her East Grand Rapids High School and her college, Michigan State University.

Mary met her first husband, Wayne VerStrate at Grand Rapids Community College. They were married for 21 years. She married Leslie Dale Lindsay on May 20, 1984, at Mayflower Chapel in East Grand Rapids, and they had their reception at Blythefield Country Club with family and friends. Les and Mary moved to Vero Beach, Florida in 2000 after Les retired.

Mary enjoyed golf and played weekly with her golf group at Grand Harbor. Tennis was the Berles family’s lifelong sport and Mary played regularly most of her life. Mary and Les shared a love of sports and traveled extensively in the 1980s and 1990s. Mary and Les became avid Bridge players at the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League). They also enjoyed a good card game with their kids and had just begun teaching them bridge during Covid.

Mary cherished her grandchildren, who loved visiting her and Les, especially at Easter when they would head to the beach club and hunt for eggs. She loved keeping track of their lives, especially their many sporting events. Mary relished her new great-grandchild, Griffin Barnes, and the many adorable videos his mother would send.

Mary enjoyed a happy, healthy, and long life filled with many caring, generous friends and loving family. Family and friends are asked to hold Mary in their hearts and remember the happy times spent together. She will be dearly missed by so many. At her request, there will not be a funeral service. In lieu of flowers, Mary’s family asks that you consider a donation to VNA Hospice House https://vnatc.org/waystogive/.


















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