 Howard and Jean Berckman A life abroad Howard Cubberly Berckman and Jean Elizabeth Kemble met in Ann Arbor, Michigan as students at the university. After they married, Howard’s work with the Army took them to Japan. Three of their children were born while the couple were stationed there. Howard and Jean moved back to Northern Virginia, where their youngest child, Alice, was born. When she was about two, the family moved to Okinawa. The Berckmans stayed for five years. They then returned to the states and eventually settling in Orange. Howard's career had spanned 25 years. A life in the church Howard and Jean decided to participate in the Orange Presbyterian Church. Jean said it was important for her to sing in a good choir and she liked our choir director. Jean joined OPC in July of 1978.  Jean Berckman Orange Presbyterian Weekday School In May of that same year, the Session and Deacons approved plans for a nursery school for the county. The plan was developed by Elinor Vasquez and Jean Berkman, and the school would be housed at OPC. Elinor and Jean worked hard that summer, and the school opened on September 12th. “We worked together so well,” Jean stated in 2018 oral history interview. She served the school well, retiring after 11 years of service. The Food Closet In 1981, the Christian Emergency Council, with the Methodist Minister Forest Porter in charge, set up a Food Closet for needy families. Jean volunteered and so did Elinor and Bob Vasquez. “Elinor was my buddy,” explained Jean. Howard and Jean would drive to Charlottesville and pick up food for the Food Closet. Jean also worked with the people who came to ensure they had what they needed. Jean said, “volunteering at the Food Closet gave us a real sense of mission because of the down and out people we could help. All of the churches in Orange were involved, but the Methodists started it.” Jean Berckman managed the Food Closet for years. That ministry continues to this day, and is now known as the Love Outreach Food Pantry. It continues to provide food for Orange County residents in need. The Christian Emergency Council Jean was also involved with The Christian Emergency Council. She talked about how in the beginning, it was mostly dealing with people not being able to pay their light bill. It has grown to be so much more than that today.  The OPC Sesquicentennial quilt hangs in the church's East Room. Service to OPC
Jean was a member of the Women of the Church. She also served as a Deacon until she was ordained and installed as an Elder in 1985. Jean supported OPC’s Holiday Bazaar with her baked goods. In 1995, some of the women of OPC made a quilt to commemorate the Church’s sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary. Jean took part in that as well. She enjoyed conducting workshops at the President Madison Inn helping the residents create Christmas decorations. She was also a member of the Rapid Ann Garden Club. Howard's service Howard was superintendent of church school classes at OPC for many years. Besides supporting the local Food Closet, he helped at the Friends of the Library and the Orange County Public School Libraries. From Howard’s many years with the Army, he was fluent in Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Retirement to Charlottesville In 2013, Jean transferred her membership to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Va. As active as Howard was at OPC, he never joined the church. His parents had been Methodist missionaries to China. He remained a Methodist to honor their memory. Howard passed away in July of 2015 and Jean followed in February of 2019. They are survived by three daughters: Julianne Berckman, Susan Cresap and husband Larry, Alice Crane, and one son, Jim Berckman and wife Belinda. Also, son-in-law Warren Crane, two granddaughters and one great grandchild. Howard and Jean Berckman did everything with a good heart and expected nothing in return. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team
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 The Vasquez Family Woodberry Forest Robert Frank Vasquez and Elinor St. Clair married in May of 1958. They moved to Charlottesville and joined Westminster Presbyterian Church. While working with the church youth group, they learned about a position at Woodberry Forest School. It interested Robert, and he was soon employed to teach Spanish. The couple moved to Woodberry in 1961. In October of that year, Bob and Elinor became members of Orange Presbyterian Church. Their three children, Mary Catherine, Robert Frank, and Neta Delores, were all baptized and later became members of OPC.  Elinor Vasquez with members of the OPC Youth Group. Elinor's youth ministries Elinor was quickly asked by Jackie Maddox to help with the OPC youth group. Elinor accompanied the group on trips to Massanutten occasionally, sometimes with one of her own children. She also helped teach the Primary Sunday School Class. “Elinor remains very active in many aspects of the work of our church,” Thelma Sanford noted in 1985. And she wasn't done yet. In 1989, Elinor joined the Orange Youth Commission and Council. Its purpose is to foster wholesome youth development and prevention of juvenile delinquency.  Elinor teaching at the Orange Presbyterian Weekday School Orange Presbyterian Weekday School In May 1978 Elinor Vasquez and Jean Berkman presented plans to the Session and Deacons. It was for a nursery school for the Orange community, located at OPC. The plan was approved. The two women worked hard that summer. What would become the Orange Presbyterian Weekday School opened September 12th, 1978. The school now offers the Elinor & Jean Scholarships for students in need. These scholarships were established in part by funds set aside by the Vasquez family. They honor the vision and many years of service to the school by these two women. It was Elinor’s and Jean’s wish that children could be part of the preschool even when finances made it daunting. “It is our hope to honor their great tradition of love for all God’s children in establishing this scholarship” (Orange Presbyterian Weekday School)  Bob Vasquez hard at work at the Orange Free Clinic Bob's community ministries
Bob Vasquez maintained a busy schedule at Woodberry Forest. In addition to teaching Spanish, he also served as a college counselor. Bob also taught summer school at Woodberry Forest. The Christian Emergency Council opened a food pantry in Orange County in 1981. Bob participated by unloading food and stocking shelves. He teamed up with Ben Johns, a teacher from Episcopal High School. The pair taught GED English and Spanish at the Orange Regional Jail. In 2006, the Orange County Free Clinic formed. The clinic provides medical care and medication assistance for those in need. Today, there are 5,000 patients registered. Bob has been volunteering at the clinic from its beginning. He checks in people and files paperwork. Bob also translates for Spanish-speaking patients, Elinor remembered Elinor passed away on June 27, 2019. She is survived by her husband, Bob, their children, their grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Her service at OPC was just as it should be -- a church filled with many people she had touched with her love and kindness. Elinor St. Clair Vasquez was a force in the Orange Presbyterian Church and the Orange County community. We are so thankful. - Jennie Hill Robinson OPC History Team To those who study, give curiosity, and imagination To those who teach, give patience and love To those who support, give strength and peace of mind To us all, give courage and faith for this new school year |
