Chi Omega - University of California, Berkeley

2 MU NEWS A SYMPHONY OF HIGH PURPOSE AND HELPFULNESS Mary Lou Willis Berg '49 Reveals the Secret to a Successful ΧΩ Experience O n a stormy and wintry night, Mary Lou Willis Berg '49 began her journey with the Mu chapter of Chi Omega. Despite the foreboding weather, she found warmth and love among her sisters that were immediately evident every time she walked through the doors of 2421 Piedmont Ave. "Chi Omega has been one of the loves of my life," Mary Lou said. "It has provided me with a feeling of substantiation, a feeling of foundation, and a feeling of thoughtfulness, especially with the guidance provided by ΧΩ Executive Headquarters." SISTERS ON PURPOSE The closeness Mary Lou and her sisters shared stretched back to their days as Girl Scouts attending summer camp and extended into their high school years with Cotillion. These relationships then became augmented by their Mu sisterhood and solidified through a variety of experiences. One such experience included an eventful trip to Convention and Mary Lou's first experience with Chi Omega on a national level. "I was very fortunate to be selected as a Convention delegate at Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was the time of the second World War and I found out much later we had held Convention in the same place that President Eisenhower had his secret base." LOYALTY TO ΧΩ AND HER HIGHEST TEACHINGS From then on, Mary Lou became inspired to serve Mu chapter on a larger scale. After her position as Convention delegate, she took on the role of secretary and contributed to the chapter's longstanding tradition of athletic excellence by playing basketball and volleyball. Soon after graduation, her natural voluntarism landed her a positon as house corporation secretary and eventually board member at large. Mary Lou even had the rare opportunity to assist with Mu chapter's 75th and centennial anniversaries. "I just think of Chi Omega very dearly and I've been involved in so many ways from the beginning. It warms my heart to see the cordiality in our members, and volunteering my time has allowed me to experience the bigger picture," Mary Lou said. "We are like spokes on a wheel. All of the individual spokes are meaningful, but when you put them together they become something bigger than themselves." KEEPING CHI OMEGA EVER AT HEART Every opportunity Mu chapter provided and every memory made has molded Mary Lou into the dedicated volunteer she is today. "I learned how to be more organized, how to be a leader, and how to be more outgoing. I like to give back because it's a circle of love that reminds us to pay it forward." If alumnae are interested in strengthening their Chi Omega roots, Mu chapter is always looking for a helping hand. "Wouldn't you like to become part of the sisterhood again and see what the chapter is like? It's a great way to experience a true bouquet of Chi Omegas from all over." Mary Lou lives in Oakland, Calif., and is a proud member of Chi Omega's 1895 Society. She can be reached at mlou7@icloud.com. At the 104th annual corporation meeting in October, Mary Lou was proclaimed as Honorary Director for Life of the Chi Omega Association. It is a unique title, given in appreciation for her loyalty and service to Chi Omega for 70 years. "I just think of Chi Omega very dearly and I've been involved in so many ways from the beginning. It warms my heart to see the cordiality in our members, and volunteering my time has allowed me to experience the bigger picture." W e are truly grateful to the following sisters who have committed to the future of Mu. Your ongoing and loyal support directly impacts the future of Chi Omega at UC-Berkeley. If you feel an error has been made in recording your donation, we sincerely apologize. Please email calmunews@gmail.com with any corrections. Thank you for your support! Marilou Pereira Little '52 Jennifer Rollar Yelland '61 In memory of Patricia Pereira Nielsen '55 Denise Howell '74 Keeping Chi Omega Close at Heart Thank You, Loyal Sisters, for Your Support W e ask that you consider making a donation to the Chi Omega Association to not only support our alumnae communication efforts, but to also maintain our bond of sisterhood for future generations. Within this newsletter you will find an envelope with which you can make a donation. Please make checks payable to Chi Omega Association and include your name and initiation year in the memo. Donations are not tax deductible. We hope you will consider making a donation today and appreciate your consideration. Your Gift Makes a Difference Patricia Pereira Nielsen '55 entered Omega Chapter on Sunday, April 17, 2016. She grew up in Lemoore and graduated from Lemoore High School in 1954, before heading to Berkeley to attend the University of California. While at Cal, she met Surl L. Nielsen, whom she married in January 1958 in Carmel, California. After graduating in 1958, she taught elementary school while Surl finished his medical school education and training. Their early life together took them to San Francisco, Seattle, Japan, and Boston before returning to the Bay Area in 1970. They subsequently moved to Sacramento in 1974, where they lived for most of the next 40 years. During that time, Patricia obtained her master's degree in speech pathology from the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). She worked with students in the San Juan School District and was an instructor and clinical supervisor at CSUS. Patricia is survived by her husband, Surl; her two children, David (Catherine) and Kristin (Jonathan); her two granddaughters, Sarah and Anna; her sister, Marilou (Richard); her sister-in-law, Phyllis; her brother-in-law, Dale (Shirlee); and 12 nieces and nephews. Omega Chapter

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