Ethel Weber Berney

Ethel Lurena Weber was born in Pikesville, Maryland to Florence Keller Weber and George Albert Weber, Sr. She received her BA from Goucher College in 1946. She married Robert Long Berney on 9/16/1951.

Dedicated to early childhood education, immediately upon graduating from Goucher College, she opened Highfield nursery from 1946 to 1953 in her mother's home. Throughout her life "Miss Ethel" was greeted in the Baltimore area by former students of Highfield. Carrying forward this belief that early childhood education was critical, she was appointed to the Baltimore County Board of Education in 1962 and served two terms from 1962-68 and 1969-76. During her tenure she worked tirelessly and successfully to add kindergarten to the public school system in Baltimore County.  She was a long-term trustee of Goucher College and funded the Robert and Ethel Berney Library in the Alumnae House and the Robert and Ethel Berney Green Roof in the Athenaeum.

She and her husband collected modern and contemporary art, many by local Baltimore artists, which graced their lovely home on Caves Road in Owings Mills where she lived for 60 years.  As one of the great hostesses of Baltimore, Ethel enjoyed large family gatherings and welcomed people from the worlds of education, fine art, politics, the performing arts and travel as well as numerous friends to her home.

Travel was one of her passions.  When her husband started Berney Travel Service within Hamburgers men's clothing store in 1964, she was supportive of and ultimately went to work assisting her husband in the travel service. She traveled the world with her family and friends. She organized Goucher tours abroad and locally for over 30 years, providing wonderful opportunities for others to see the world.

Ethel was a lifelong member of Stone Chapel Methodist Church and the Baltimore Museum of Art.  She was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Glyndon Women's Club.Among her many accomplishments none gave her more satisfaction then being mother to sons Bert and Brig, and grandmother to Scott and Jason.  She is survived by her children Bertram Weber Berney MD of Portland, Oregon (m. Elizabeth Leach) and John Brigham Berney of New York City, her Grandchildren Scott Gardner Berney of Denver and Jason Reed Berney of Portland, Oregon and her brother John Albert Weber (m. Judy Weber) of Lutherville. Her late brother George Albert Weber Jr. predeceased her. She has many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, November 5th, from 5-7 pm, at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

A service and celebration of life will be held at Goucher College in the chapel on Monday, November 6th at 11:30 in the morning. Reverend Jason Poling is the officiant.

Interment is private at Druid Ridge Cemetery.

Organizations for donations honoring Ethel include Goucher College and the Baltimore Museum of Art for the upkeep of the Cone Collection.