Bridgeway Center Celebrates the Life of Catherine Berridge

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

Fort Walton Beach – Bridgeway Center, Inc (BCI) recently hosted a Dedication Ceremony Celebrating the Life of Catherine P. Berridge, Advocate for the Mind. 

Catherine P. “Kay” Berridge (1906-2003) humanitarian and philanthropist, bequeathed an endowment from her estate to Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) as a display of her continuing commitment to and support of community based Behavioral Health.

Among her many civic contributions to our community Catherine was a leading founder of The Okaloosa Guidance Clinic, now operating as Bridgeway Center Inc.  Catherine served as the first President of The Okaloosa Guidance Clinic Board of Directors along with her husband, Lt. Colonel Retired, Harold Berridge.

Catherine’s contribution enabled BCI to construct a Heritage and Honor Wall in Remembrance of her.  The conference room, located in BCI’s facility on Hospital Drive in Fort Walton Beach, which houses the Heritage and Honor Wall has been named the Catherine Berridge Education Room. 

A scholarship program entitled the Bridgeway Center Behavioral Student Scholarship is being established to benefit from her endowment.

The ceremony celebrating her life was attended by many local community leaders.  The Heritage Wall and a portrait in oils of Catherine, donated by local artist JB Cobbs, were dedicated by Ms. Missy McKim, Community Development Services Director for the City of Fort Walton Beach. A letter of encouragement was read from Ms. Evelyn McNair, Godchild to Kay Berridge.

Daniel Cobbs, BCI Chief Executive Officer, presented a commemorative framed Proclamation Certificate of Mrs. Berridge’s life, signed by the BCI Board of Trustees to Mrs. Susan Gross, a life long friend of Kay’s. 

Others in attendance to pay respects to Catherine were; Larry Sassano, Executive Director, Economic Development Council,  Kevin Locht, President Board of Trustees, Children’s Foundation of Bridgeway Center;  Joyce Kiser, 2nd Vice Chair Elect, BCI Board of Trustees; Barbara Palmgren, Ed. D, Chair: DUI Committee, BCI Board of Trustees; Shirley "Sam" Perman, RN, Member BCI Board of Trustees; and Todd Sazama, Architect, designer of the Catherine Berridge Heritage and Honor Wall.

The Wall of Honor will contain recognition plaques of outstanding BCI Associates and Friends of BCI who carry on with Catherine’s model of service to our community.