The first female mayor of Berkley, Maybelle Fraser, died on Dec. 22 at the age of 92. She served as mayor from 1995 to 1997. She also was a City Council member from 1989 to 1993.
By: Mike Koury | Woodward Talk | Published January 9, 2024
BERKLEY — The first woman mayor in Berkley’s history has died.
Maybelle Fraser died on Dec. 22, 2023, at the age of 92. A longtime resident, Fraser will be remembered for her service and dedication to the city.
Fraser served on the City Council first as a council member from 1989 to 1993. She became the city’s first female mayor in 1995 and served one term.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Maybelle Fraser, who was the first woman to serve as Mayor of the City of Berkley. She led with her heart, committed to the community she was so proud to call home,” the city said in a prepared statement.
Mark Mooney served on the council with Fraser from 1995 to 1997 and succeeded her as mayor from 1997 to 2005. He said Fraser always did what she believed was in the best interests of the residents.
“When Maybelle truly believed in something, she was willing to fight for it,” he said.
Current Berkley Mayor Bridget Dean wrote on social media about Fraser’s death, stating that she led the city with heart and was “committed to the community she was so proud to call home.”
“Throughout her life, Ms. Fraser served in numerous leadership roles on the boards and organizations that make our community a great place to live, work and raise a family,” she wrote. “She was deeply committed to equity for women, championing opportunities and organizations that opened doors for girls. A true role model in all she did, our City is the better for her care and devotion.”
Former mayors Phil O’Dwyer and Dan Terbrack also shared their thanks to Fraser for her years of service to Berkley.
“She was very dedicated to the city of Berkley. That was something you could always count on — (Maybelle) caring for the city,” said O’Dwyer.
“I’m incredibly thankful for her years of service and her unending dedication and love for the city of Berkley. That was clearly, clearly evident, and whenever there was a city event, you can certainly count on Maybelle being there to support the city,” said Terbrack.
In addition to her time on the council, Fraser was an active member of the community and served in leadership roles on a number of organizations, according to her obituary. Those include the Girl Scouts, Berkley Days, the Berkley High School Alumni Association, the American Legion Auxiliary, the PTA, the Berkley Historical Committee and the Historical Museum.
Fraser also was credited with the founding of the MOMS Club of Berkley.
“Maybelle set an example of creating. Something that didn’t exist that she thought should exist, Maybelle created it,” Mooney said.
Mooney also stated that he believed that something in the city should be named after Fraser.
“Whether that’d be a park or a ballfield or something,” he said. “Like I said, there are a lot of things in our city that don’t exist if it wasn’t for Maybelle Fraser.”
Fraser is survived by her children Carol (Keith) Boman, Don (Bernadette) Fraser, Karen (Tom) Teague, Bob (Vickie) Fraser, Amy (Dale) Maple and TJ Fraser, as well as her nieces Marcia Tanner and Nancy Serenbetz, 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Fraser Jr., and granddaughter Tara Fraser.