Faith Berg of Dearborn Heights passed on June 26, 2020, age 87.   Born Faith Cook on September 15, 1932 in Harrison, Ohio to William and Florence Cook, at age 5 her family relocated to Ypsilanti, MI where she graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1950 as a national merit scholar recipient. Excelling at piano and voice as a youth, Faith went on to study at the University of Michigan, getting her bachelors and masters in music education in 1954 and 1955, respectively.

She married fellow U of M music alum Arthur Berg on December 22, 1957.  During this time period, she taught in both Pontiac Public Schools and Belleview before they relocated to the Dearborn/Dearborn Heights area and started a family.

Being a mom was perhaps Faith's most rewarding accomplishment, and her children Denise and Eric were her pride and joy.  Other than the natural gift of exposure to music, she encouraged her kids to try new things, and was always there by their side as they did. While a stay-at-home mom, she spent several years composing original music, highlighted by 'I Love the Land Called Michigan' which became a candidate for state song and was played before the state legislature in 1974.

Returning to full-time teaching in 1980, Faith spent the next 17 years working for Dearborn Public Schools, including 7 years at Edsel Ford High School, teaching music and humanities.  Her vocal ensemble excelled and became a tight-knit group, performing at Kings Island, Toronto, and for then-presidential candidate Walter Mondale in Dearborn in 1984.

After Art passed, Faith made it a point to live life to the fullest.  Independent and adventurous, she loved to travel whether it was with family, friends, or by herself.  One special trip with Denise to Europe included visiting Salzburg, Austria - birthplace of Mozart.  Others included a surprise trip to Hawaii in 2000, taking the grandkids to Disney World and annual trips to Puerto Rico with Eric. Her favorite trips were to The Bridges Resort in Vermont.  For 22 summers, the family shared great times with friends who became a second family.

Active throughout life, Faith swam and enjoyed bike riding.  Tennis became a big part of her life when she joined the Dearborn Racquet & Health Club in 1981.  She made great new friends there, which led to her taking up golf as well.  One memorable tennis highlight was when at age 51, she got to the finals of a local tournament, defeating a 19 year old in a 3 hour match in 90 degree heat in the semifinal.  She also took up skiing at age 63, which she absolutely loved and always wondered why she hadn't tried sooner.  She loved skiing as it gave her another excuse to travel.  Ski trips included Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Vermont, and northern Michigan.  Several were as a member of the Dearborn Thunderbirds.

As age made skiing and tennis more difficult, Faith turned to another passion and talent: watercolor painting.  She loved to attend weekly art classes which were followed up by an afternoon at the casino. Faith always made it a point to exercise her brain as much as possible, doing crossword puzzles, and playing Scrabble.  She was also an avid Detroit Red Wings hockey fan.

Faith loved being a grandmother. She was happy spending time with Mya and Julian, encouraging them to pursue their musical, artistic and athletic abilities.  She was an incredible role model for them, teaching the same strength, kindness and independence that she taught her own kids.

Faith knew that love, laughter and happiness were the most important things in life.  Selfless and fiercely loyal to her loved ones, she lived life to the fullest - never straying from those ideals.  She was one of a kind, lived an amazing life, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Faith was predeceased by her parents, husband Arthur Berg, sister Carol Baltzell and brother-in-law Martin Baltzell.  Survivors include daughter Denise Berg-Grant (Tony), son Eric (Anthony), grandchildren Mya and Julian Grant, cousins Larry Burton of Florida, Eugene Burton and Marilyn Rayburn both of Cincinnati; nieces Pamela Santiago of Durham, NC, Rene Glick of Cincinnati, and Judy Blough of Ypsilanti; nephew Martin Baltzell Jr (Jan) of Tucson, AZ; 9 great nieces and nephews.

Faith chose cremation and her wish was to be placed with her husband Art at the First Presbyterian Church in Ypsilanti in the Memorial Garden.  A service may be set up soon but due to Covid, it will be limited as to attendance.

Music was always a special part of Faith's life.  We have set up a Memorial Fund to benefit vocal music students at Edsel Ford High School to honor her memory and love for music.  Please consider a donation to help keep her spirit alive.  We know that she would be smiling that beautiful smile and her heart singing.

https://dearbornedfoundation.org/memorials/faith-berg-vocal-music-memorial-fund/