Chandra was born on December 15, 1973, at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan to Joseph and Kathleen (Queenie) Berger. She attended Our Lady of Refuge Grade School and later graduated from Mercy High School in 1992, in Farmington Hills, Michigan where she was a Mercyaire. In 1996, Chandra graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She began her career at Henkel Corporation and worked there for sixteen years, starting out as a Customer Representative before later working on the SAP Project Team with her “brother-from-another-mother” Ron Munch—where they enjoyed many laughs and microbrews, giving her an opportunity to travel to places like Germany, Puerto Rico, California, Canada, and Connecticut.
In 2012 Chandra decided to pursue her passion for serving others and attended the Oakland Community College (OCC) School of Nursing. She graduated in 2014, summa cum laude. Chandra began her nursing career in 2014 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland and was a dedicated nurse with a love of caring for her patients, as well as a beloved colleague. From 2011 to 2014 she was a student instructor at OCC in Anatomy & Physiology, as well as a nursing tutor to first-year nursing students. She served as a nurse during the 2020 COVID pandemic and was known for having a smile, even under her mask. In those months of extreme isolation Chandra was the beacon of light for patients that couldn’t have their loved ones by their side in their final hours. She held their hands, called their families, and showed extreme compassion in a season of her career that was the most challenging. Over the course of her nursing career, Chandra was nominated for five Daisy Awards from patients and a physician, in recognition of her clinical skills and compassion demonstrated at the bedside of patients. After an incredible seven years serving as a floor nurse, in 2021, Chandra graduated from Grand Canyon University, summa cum laude, with a Masters of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Nursing Education. She was also a member of the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses. Her recent promotion was to Nurse Recruiter, a position she absolutely loved, giving her the opportunity to encourage new nurses with her ever exuberant love of being a nurse!
Chandra lived her life to the fullest—she was a bright light with an ever-present, beautiful smile. She always had a twinkle in her eye and a huge, generous heart. She found joy in everything she did and deeply loved her faith, her family and her dogs. She was an avid crafter and loved to decorate for all the holidays. Chandra was a friend to everyone, and a stranger to none. She loved large and had a kind word to absolutely everyone she met in passing. Chandra was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother—praying the Rosary daily. She had a tremendous love of the Lord and was a true witness to her faith to everyone she met. She was passionate about God, family, and country. The number one man in her life was her “Da”. He was her biggest fan and encouraged to pursue her passion for nursing. They enjoyed watching Notre Dame football together and spending many quiet moments on the back porch at Burt Lake.
Chandra and her mom, Queenie, shared a rare, and incredibly special bond. They spoke daily. They laughed, they cried, they shared the joys and the sorrows of life. Chandra was an excellent caregiver to both her mom and her dad. To her cousin, Marybeth, she was a best friend—sister-of-the-heart. They loved to laugh, shop, spend time together, and share endless conversations. She adored Marybeth’s children and taught them valuable life skills, such as how to blow up Peep marshmallows in the microwave, how to have accurate lightsaber wars, as well as how to live a Christ-centered life.
Chandra is survived by her mom, Kathleen Berger, sister-of-the-heart Marybeth Munch, her husband Ron, and their four children: Caitlin (Nick) Lengerich, Lauren (Nate) Houk, Ian and Grace Munch. She is also survived by her favorite uncles: Jerry (Judi) Burger, Ken Burger, Jerry (Bonnie) Saylor, Tom Berger, Jim (Ellen) Berger, Butch Iglinski, as well as, great nephews Killian and Declan, in addition to countless cousins and endless friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Patrick Berger. Chandra was beloved by many friends, family, students, and colleagues, and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 9086 Hutchins Road in White Lake. The family will receive friends at church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the mass at 11:00 AM.
Chandra's Celebration of Life will be held at Bay Pointe Golf Club on Monday, April 29, 2024, immediately following her funeral services at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be attending.
You can RSVP at this link: https://forms.gle/XdpLHhGumZjiEbR87
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