Daphne Bordelon Berken

Daphne Bordelon Berken, 70, of Thornwell, Louisiana, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on August 19, 2025. Born on January 20, 1955, in Marksville, Louisiana, Daphne was the daughter of Leonard Alcide Bordelon and Bernadine Roy Bordelon.

A graduate of the University of South Louisiana, now ULL, she built a distinguished career as a certified public accountant. She served as a partner at Langley, Williams & Co. for over 30 years and believed with her whole heart that accounting was an art, not a science. Daphne was a mentor to so many in her long career and especially was a pioneer for upcoming women in male-dominated fields. She earned the reputation through her consistent, thoughtful, and thorough planning abilities as "Daphne-prepared." She was intelligent, kind, considerate, and had a way of making all feel welcomed and loved.

She was respected as both a leader in her business community and a woman of faith who integrated her deep commitment to Christ into every area of her life. She combined her passions as a Christ follower and business leader in guiding and growing the Christian business group Profit & Loss. She gave her time and care as a class leader at Trinity Baptist Church, which ministered to healing and forgiveness. Daphne poured into the lives of others through her involvement with the Catholic ministry as a facilitator in New Beginnings, which supports widowed and divorced women. She helped get the Whistle Stop off the ground as an original board member, which supports children through parental supervised visitation. She gave annually to Boys and Girls Village to ensure all children received gifts at Christmas time. She also supported Big Brothers, Big Sisters - another program supporting the well-being of children. She was generous beyond what we even know, as she gave out of the abundance of her heart and with the desire for anonymity.

Daphne also had a massive heart for Christian ministry, giving to missionaries across the globe, supporting her local pastors and their church planting endeavors in significant and tangible ways, and tithing to her local places of worship. She called herself a "Cactus"- a Catholic-Baptist-and passionately chased after God in several Christian houses of worship over her life, not only with her faith, heart, and time, but also with her generous financial support. Daphne gave freely of her love, her wisdom, and her resources, always lifting others toward hope in Christ.

She believed deeply in God's human design and the wisdom of natural health and wellness. She received her miracle through her faith in the five quality years that exceeded what any doctor could explain through her functional health journey in her final years.

To her family, Daphne was "Mom" and "Grammy"-roles she cherished above all others. She delighted in spending quality time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She found great purpose in her career and great joy in the simple pleasures of life: deer hunting, Hallmark movies, and gathering family and friends around her table with her delicious home cooking. She was one for a good adventure, a teal or deer hunt, a fishing trip, a road trip, a vacation, a card game, the largest roller coaster, or any sport or competition.

Daphne's legacy is one of steadfast faith, authenticity, sacrificial love, and a heart that made room for everyone.

Daphne was the beloved wife of Stephen Berken, with whom she shared a life of devotion, faith, and family. She was the cherished mother of Tiffany Wyatt (Rhett) and their children Amélie and River; Jacob Clark; Sarah Werner (Scott) and their children Sadie and Shane; and Clark Young (Jay). She became the only grandmother known to half of Stephen's grandchildren, who never knew their grandmother, the late Melanie Boutte Berken. Daphne was stepmother to Jason Berken (Kayla) and their children Stephen Ryan (Maylee) and their daughter Miriam, and Andrew (fiancée, Cecilia), Melanie, Kathryne, Gianna, and Faith; Joey Berken (Rebecca) and their daughter Kennedi; and Kerri Berken Chiasson (Ryan) and their children Elizabeth, Lucas, and Emily.

Daphne is also survived by her mother, Bernadine Roy Bordelon; and siblings Skip (Hazel) Bordelon; Kim (Danny) Chapman; Gail (Lynn) Schlesinger; Greg (the late, Gayle) Bordelon; and Wendy (Jody) Hoag; And survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Miguez Funeral Home on Friday August 22, 2025, starting at 3:00 PM and concluding at 9:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM until the time to depart for church for the funeral service.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Our Saviors Church in Jennings, LA, with Pastor Dustin Lister officiating. A private burial will be held in Thornwell Cemetery.

Daphne's children wish to express their profound gratitude to her sisters, Kim and Gail, and her amazing husband, Stephen, who, at the end, never left her side and kept her comfortable with the utmost attune and compassion.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Bordelon; and her brother, Peter Bordelon; her sister in law, Gayle Bordelon; and Stephen's first wife, Melanie Boutte Berken.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial gifts to be made to the Our Saviors Church Building Fund for the upcoming Lake Arthur campus.

Carrying her to her final place of rest will be, Scott Werner, Rhett Wyatt, Jason Berken, Joey Berken, Stephen Ryan Berken, and Andrew Berken. Honorary Pallbeaers will be, Danny Chapman, Lynn Schlesinger, Jody Hoag, and Ryan Chiasson.

Though we grieve her passing, we rejoice that she is now at peace and healed in the presence of her Savior. Her life was a testimony of faith and love, and her legacy will continue in the hearts of those she nurtured, guided, and cherished.

Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." - Mark 5:34

"Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your Lord." - Matthew 25:21