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Ellen “Marsh Mamma” Berg
Ellen Berg, age 69, of Kitty Hawk, NC, died August 9, 2024 after a courageous, two-year battle with liver and pancreas failure. Ellen was born May 20, 1955 in Evanston, Illinois. After high school, she earned a nursing degree and worked intensive care in Cook County, Ill.
After several years, Ellen migrated to Bethesda, MD where she worked under Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institute of Health caring for our nation’s earliest AIDS patients. Ellen provided excellent care for several years but her loving spirit was no match for the horror of first diagnosis AIDS research. NO ONE SURVIVED!
In 1980 Ellen moved to kitty Hawk, NC. Finding herself overqualified to nurse locally; Ellen took to the restaurant life. She worked at By George’s, Gandolf’s and Kitty Hawk Pier- beginning as a waitress. Soon however, Ellen’s cooking skills became legendary with her most noteworthy kitchen stint being Carlin Pearls’ “two-days-off-a-week” chef when that popular restaurant first took off.
Ellen met Victor Berg in 1984 and they married in 1984. Together, they owned and operated Outer Banks Waterfowl Guide Service (Est.1977). OBW is today one of the oldest and largest duck guiding operations in Dare and Currituck counties. In addition to business management, Ellen excelled as a woodworking artist with Vic for decades. They showed their art in just about every Outer Banks art and east coast decoy show since 1985. Ellen and Vic also conceived of and ran the “Starving Artist” Christmas show in their home for 32 years -sometimes hosting 200 to 300 guests in a single afternoon. All guests were treated to Ellen’s many delicious wild game recipes. What a spirit! She will be missed!
Ellen is survived by her husband, Victor of the Kitty Hawk home; her son Jonathan of Florida; her two brothers, Ed (Linda) of Colington, NC and Nick of Delaware; many extended family members; and countless friends. Ellen’s directives for cremation will be honored. Her memorial and celebration of life will be held Sunday September 8, 2024 from 1 pm to 4 pm at Jennette’s Pier (upstairs event suite). The memorial service will begin at 1:30 pm. Please share expressions of sympathy and read the full obituary at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.Plans are pending for Ellen’s September memorial celebration. Check for details and share condolences with the Berg family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
I will think of you both each day as I look at one of your beautiful birds on my wall. She was what Kim would call a “What-a-Woman”!!!
I'm gonna miss Ellen's turkey and cranberry sandwiches, while duck hunting with Victor.
Vic, I always enjoyed talking with you and Ellen at all the art shows we exhibited at together. I’m sorry for your loss.
We will miss Ellen at all art events and just around town. Her kindness and thoughtfulness were inspirational. We will always cherish the carved birds and Santa we have from our dear Ellen. Peace and Love to Victor and family.
Ellen…my sister, sister-in-law, and loving friend. She could make you feel special, couldn’t she? Whether a special dinner (& all her meals were special), an in-person bragging about you to her friends, or just wanting to spend ‘just with you’ —- she could make you feel like you were (are) something special. She loved doing things for her ‘marsh guys’ the guides, for friends, and for her family - hers by birth and hers by marriage… though it may sound trite, it is true — it’s hard to believe she isn’t here for on earth with us. No longer can I walk into her home, yelling “I’m here, I’m home” to her and the barking dog. No longer can I call her ‘just to talk and receive her support, but always I can talk with her as if she is here and feel her love and see her smile. Miss her now and always…
Tons of memories from all the art shows and get togethers over the years. She touched everybody around her with warmth and kindness and we are all the better for it. Condolences to Vic and family.
I am so sorry to hear of Ellen's passing. She was a wonderful person and she will be missed. Love and prayers to Victor and her family.
Ellen was such a gift; she taught me so many beautiful things simply existing. Im beyond grateful the last time we got to spend together was 1:1, it was fabulous listening to her stories and catching up on life I will miss her deeply
Our sincerest prayers for the family during this time of sorrow. Ellen was a sincere and delightful lady whom we all loved. Her smile and warmth will be greatly missed. Ellen's memory will be for a blessing to all who knew her.
I was so sad to hear of Ellen's passing. My sincere condolences to Victor and Ed and the rest of the family. I saw her a few weeks ago at a art festival or flea market, and I didn't stop to speak because she looked busy, and I regret that now.
Ellen. You are beyond alive and can’t leave us. I will never not feel you in my kitchen and in my studio. Your energy is ever present. Vic. We send our love and our hugs to you.
Very sorry to hear of Ellen Berg's passing. Over the years I bought several of her birds and fish and really thought she had the best technique of anyone carving around here. I particularly enjoy the owls and pelicans she carved and I remember her saying that she had to stop carving the owls because the "eyes," which were mesmerizing, had become too expensive to use. Her Pelicans I'm sure will be treasured by anyone who has one, or a whole wall full. I will certainly miss discovering the fine work that (if I may) "Marsh Mama" created. RIP Ellen Berg.
We were so sad to learn of Ellen's untimely passing. She always inspired us with her warmth and her boundless energy, and we think fondly of our interactions at Greenleaf Gallery and the various Art shows thru the years. We will miss Ellen's smile and her generosity - always. We send our heartfelt condolences to Vic and the entire family.
My thoughts are with Victor and Ellen's family. I am blessed to have spent nearly 40 years knowing Ellen and enjoying happy (and very delicious meals) in her home dodging brown dogs, hers and mine. The fall and winter seasons found us attending decoy and art show, carving and sometimes painting birds with her and Victor. Ellen was a gifted guitar player and songwriter and she played during many of my visits over the years. The world will miss a joyous, loving and inspiring soul.
Dear Vic and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Back in the ‘80s I met Ellen and Vic. Excellent people and you will always have a place in my heart.
My deepest sympathy at this difficult time. She touched so many lives and gave everyone she met such joy.
Vic and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. I only recently found the obituary in a stack of papers I had not yet read. While I cannot claim to have known Ellen more than casually, she was always the cheerful voice on the other end of the line when I would call to make waterfowl reservations. She treated all of us as old friends whenever we would call. Rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior... vatioons
I will think of you both each day as I look at one of your beautiful birds on my wall. She was what Kim would call a “What-a-Woman”!!!
I’m gonna miss Ellen’s turkey and cranberry sandwiches, while duck hunting with Victor.
Vic, I always enjoyed talking with you and Ellen at all the art shows we exhibited at together. I’m sorry for your loss.
We will miss Ellen at all art events and just around town. Her kindness and thoughtfulness were inspirational. We will always cherish the carved birds and Santa we have from our dear Ellen. Peace and Love to Victor and family.
Ellen…my sister, sister-in-law, and loving friend. She could make you feel special, couldn’t she? Whether a special dinner (& all her meals were special), an in-person bragging about you to her friends, or just wanting to spend ‘just with you’ —- she could make you feel like you were (are) something special. She loved doing things for her ‘marsh guys’ the guides, for friends, and for her family – hers by birth and hers by marriage… though it may sound trite, it is true — it’s hard to believe she isn’t here for on earth with us. No longer can I walk into her home, yelling “I’m here, I’m home” to her and the barking dog. No longer can I call her ‘just to talk and receive her support, but always I can talk with her as if she is here and feel her love and see her smile. Miss her now and always…
Tons of memories from all the art shows and get togethers over the years. She touched everybody around her with warmth and kindness and we are all the better for it. Condolences to Vic and family.
I am so sorry to hear of Ellen’s passing. She was a wonderful person and she will be missed. Love and prayers to Victor and her family.
Ellen was such a gift; she taught me so many beautiful things simply existing. Im beyond grateful the last time we got to spend together was 1:1, it was fabulous listening to her stories and catching up on life
I will miss her deeply
Our sincerest prayers for the family during this time of sorrow. Ellen was a sincere and delightful lady whom we all loved. Her smile and warmth will be greatly missed. Ellen’s memory will be for a blessing to all who knew her.
I was so sad to hear of Ellen’s passing. My sincere condolences to Victor and Ed and the rest of the family. I saw her a few weeks ago at a art festival or flea market, and I didn’t stop to speak because she looked busy, and I regret that now.
Ellen. You are beyond alive and can’t leave us. I will never not feel you in my kitchen and in my studio. Your energy is ever present. Vic. We send our love and our hugs to you.
Very sorry to hear of Ellen Berg’s passing. Over the years I bought several of her birds and fish and really thought she had the best technique of anyone carving around here. I particularly enjoy the owls and pelicans she carved and I remember her saying that she had to stop carving the owls because the “eyes,” which were mesmerizing, had become too expensive to use. Her Pelicans I’m sure will be treasured by anyone who has one, or a whole wall full. I will certainly miss discovering the fine work that (if I may) “Marsh Mama” created. RIP Ellen Berg.
We were so sad to learn of Ellen’s untimely passing. She always inspired us with her warmth and her boundless energy, and we think fondly of our interactions at Greenleaf Gallery and the various Art shows thru the years. We will miss Ellen’s smile and her generosity – always. We send our heartfelt condolences to Vic and the entire family.
My thoughts are with Victor and Ellen’s family. I am blessed to have spent nearly 40 years knowing Ellen and enjoying happy (and very delicious meals) in her home dodging brown dogs, hers and mine. The fall and winter seasons found us attending decoy and art show, carving and sometimes painting birds with her and Victor. Ellen was a gifted guitar player and songwriter and she played during many of my visits over the years. The world will miss a joyous, loving and inspiring soul.
Dear Vic and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Back in the ‘80s I met Ellen and Vic. Excellent people and you will always have a place in my heart.
My deepest sympathy at this difficult time. She touched so many lives and gave everyone she met such joy.
Vic and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. I only recently found the obituary in a stack of papers I had not yet read.
While I cannot claim to have known Ellen more than casually, she was always the cheerful voice on the other end of the line when I would call to make waterfowl reservations. She treated all of us as old friends whenever we would call.
Rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior…
vatioons