OBIT: Member of First Graduating Class of West Hempstead High Dies

Alice M. Berridge, a Woodbury resident and a member of the first class to graduate West Hempstead High School, passed away on June 25 at the age of 75. Berridge fought an eight-month battle with stage-4 lung cancer. 

Berridge was born on April 11, 1936 in New York, N.Y. She is the daughter of the late Russell E. and Mary Martell Petersen. Her parents moved to Long Island shortly after she was born.

Berridge attended , where she was a member of the first ever graduating class. During her childhood she spent her summers attending the “4-H Camp” in the Hamptons.  At 4-H Camp, Berridge had served as a camper, counselor and 4-H Division Committee member and chairperson. In addition, Berridge has served as a board member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Nassau County, the umbrella organization for the 4-H. 

After high school, Berridge earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Queens College and a Masters in Math Education. She began teaching math at Island Trees High School. During this time, she married her late husband Edmund Berridge, who passed away in 2009, and raised two children - Anne (McManus) and David Berridge. 

“She was a wonderful mother, great friend and a terrific grandmother," McManus said.

In 1970, Berridge became the first female Mathematics department faculty member of Nassau Community College. During her time at NCC, Alice was an active member of NYSMATYC (New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges), which led to extended service with the AMATYC (American Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges) where she was a founding member, editor of the AMATYC Journal and an officer. Berridge also served as the president of the Woman’s Faculty Association. 

In 1981, Berridge was honored to earn the esteemed Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, a NYS award for SUNY faculty. Berridge also served as an officer and board member of the DSA (Dozenal Society of America) and continued her involvement following her retirement.  

Berridge was an ardent bridge player - she and her late husband earned the national rank of the Silver Life Master. Berridge also enjoyed home and gardening projects, as well as reading and bicycling. 

Berridge was a devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Ann McManus of New Canaan, CT and son David of Middletown, NJ; grandchildren Caitlin, Christopher and Brendan McManus of New Canaan, CT and Sophia Berridge of Middletown, NJ and brother George Petersen of Reno, NV. 

Services will be held on Friday July 15 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the , Inc. of Syosset, 70 Berry Hill Rd.