There are so many things that one can say about a beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and mentor.
Here are a few you might enjoy:
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- Click here for one that was written by her grandson, Brian Berry. It has some pictures too you might enjoy
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- Click here for comments written on the times standard obituary site.
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- Click here to view or download a pdf of some memories from her granddaughter, Alisha Crawford.
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- Below is one that was written by her daughter, Karen Berry, and shared while Delma stood beside her in front of a Sunday School Class of her friends at Neighborhood Church in Castro Valley, CA. on Mother's Day 2008:
This is my mom, Delma Morton. She lives with Ken and I for 10 to 12 weeks at a time. My brother and I share her. She is 85 years old, and has always been a blessing in our lives. The Bible tells us that when we come before the Lord Jesus, he will say we have been good and faithful or he doesn’t know us. I’m quite sure Mom will hear the words good and faithful servant.
One of the marks we leave on this earth is our legacy. By that I mean what character traits we demonstrated in our life that others will choose to emulate. My mom is leaving her legacy in three powerful ways.
Her first legacy is one of faith in God. Mom was raised on a farm in Iowa. She was taught about God from the moment she was able to comprehend – as were her parents. I have memories of my grandfather milking cows while he sang The Old Rugged Cross. Through her own childhood she attended Sunday School and church, and she developed a strong understanding of what it means to place your faith in God. That legacy was passed on to my brother and me. She taught Sunday School for many years and started and after-school tutoring program at the church across the street from where she taught. Her example of faith has been there throughout my life. It was the basis of who we were and how we lived our days. Mom has always demonstrated that faith through action.
That brings me to the second legacy she will leave. That is her awesome example as a servant to others. My mom has served others for as long as I can remember. “No job is too small and no task is too difficult” was always her philosophy. By way of example, she flew by herself to the Aleutian Islands to see our first-born child. Mom would cook, bake, paint, clean, or can for, or otherwise support anyone who needed her skills. Her grandchildren learned that a grandmother can serve six grandchildren by herself on a camping trip. She would even bake an apple pie from the apples they picked and go fishing with them. She helped put three of her six grandchildren through college and grad school.
My mom served children for 35 years as a teacher. Most of those years were in first grade. Thousands of adults are walking this earth as readers and life-long learners because of her efforts. Many educators are better teachers because of the 10 years she spent as a professor in the Humboldt State University’s teacher credential program. Delma’s Creations was her publishing company for classroom books and teaching materials for 15 years. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Her servant-hood was taken very seriously.
The third legacy she will leave for her children and grandchildren to follow is one of perseverance. Mom’s life has not always been an easy one. While she has walked her faith and served others, the obstacles have been numerous. The lesson I’ve learned, however, is that you don’t complain about what comes your way. She taught us that when the going gets tough you look for things to be thankful for and just keep on going. It didn’t matter whether it was breast cancer or caring for a husband with emphysema, she simply kept going. Mom and Dad were married for over 50 years.
Mom is truly one of the most joyful people I know. She has lived the instructions found in Philippians 2 verses 3 and 4,
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Thank you for allowing me to give this tribute. I’m very thankful for my mom and her legacies.
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- THESE ARE COPIED FROM THE TIME'S STANDARD PAPER SO THEY WOULD NOT BE LOST BEFORE THEY WERE DELETED DUE TO THEIR TIME DEADLINE FOR POSTING:
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 | September 30, 2008
When I was student-teaching, I was sent over to Delma's room to watch a pro in action...she always had such an incredible organization and was the pride of Eureka City Schools. Then I got to actually meet her when I was making Big Books at the Teacher's Center. She saw how I was doing these books and she was off! I illustrated her early books and we went down to the Kindergarten Conference and took it by storm! The second year we went they only gave us one table but somehow we managed to share it! Delma encouraged me to go back to school and get my Masters in Ed. so I could supervise student teachers, following in her footsteps. She was supervising a student teacher when I was teaching Kindergarten and came in for observation. We were talking about the lesson and kids would come up to talk us and Delma would stop whatever we were talking about and talk to the child right to their level, showing genuine interest and concern.
She was such an incredible role model and an astiture business woman. I had no head for business and she showed me how to do it right when we were marketing our books. Delma was a force of nature, there'l never be another like her. I'm sure you were very proud to have her as your mom. I musn't forget her laugh...she knew how to laugh at herself and at other situations. She leaves a big space, she was a very special person. |
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| | Barbara Saul (Eureka, CA) |
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| | September 23, 2008 |
| Remembering your "Orchard" Delma, and your submission to our Creator. We will miss you in the big blue comfy chair at Mary's sharing in our small group. Happy Homecoming and continued joy with Jesus (and maybe chocolate, ha!). We all love you! |
| | Sharon Breedlove (San Leandro, CA)
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| | September 18, 2008 |
| Delma and I became friends while we worked with the Teacher Preparation Program at Humboldt State. She had so much to offer after her years of experience as an outstanding teacher of young children. I'll never forget the "wild" trip we took driving to Long Beach to attend a conference and sell her wonderful children's books. Delma was also a member of the organization, Delta Kappa Gamma, made up of dedicated women who are teachers and also those who have retired but still are passionate about education. We love you, Delma. |
| | Marilyn Tucker (Arcata, CA)
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| | September 10, 2008 |
| I will always remember the infectious little giggle Aunt Delma had when she laughed.
As a little girl, I remember looking forward to going to "Aunt Del & Uncle Rog's" house because Aunt Delma always made me feel a certain kind of special that was all my own and because she always had lots of yummy stuff in the kitchen, usually things she had made from scratch, that we would get to eat. I liked Uncle Roger's big, deep voice and how he teased me lots and laughed at/with me.
Now that I think about it, I guess I liked and looked forward to all of these things at the Morton's house for most of my life and not just when I was a little girl!
My thoughts are with Aunt Delma's family, and especially with my cousins, who have always been so genuinely nice, gracious, and kind to me. |
| | Jill Harland (Loleta, CA) |
| | September 10, 2008 |
| Mrs. Morton was one of my husband and my favorite teachers at Alice Birney Elementary School in the mid 1960s. Our thoughts are with your family. |
| | Jim and Debbie Auker (Oldham) (San Jose, CA) |
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- IF YOU HAVE A TRIBUTE OF YOUR OWN, WE WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD POST IT IN A COMMENT HERE TO SHARE WITH THOSE WHO VISIT.
