"I want to express the compassion given to us as a family from ICU, and the Hawke's Bay Hospital and the ambulance staff, they couldn't have been more supportive."
Donating his organs did not come out of the blue, Mrs Berry remembers often having conversations with Dene about giving others a second chance - something that was in his nature.
"Dene was always a giver, he would give the shirt off his back."
The recipients, who are anonymous, are scattered across the country.
She does know Riddell's kidneys went to two women, one young and one older. His liver went to a middle-aged man who had chronic liver problems all his life. His corneas went to two women, and his sclera (the outer layer of the eye) went to another two women.
One even sent Mrs Berry a card through Organ Donation New Zealand.
"I wanted to let you know that your loved one has been able to give me a second chance at life and for that I am truly grateful. Words can not explain how much," it said.
"I waited 10 years for a kidney transplant thinking it would never happen, but one night it did. It was a strange moment because as happy as I was to hear the news, I was also very aware that someone somewhere had lost someone special," it continued.
Riddell was adamant about two things. First, he wanted to be buried at Mangaroa cemetery in Hastings where his mates lay, and second, he wanted to donate his organs.
She would love to meet the people who were the recipients of Dene's organs to embrace the life that they now have.
"They came from a dark place and Dene has enabled their light to shine."
He left Hastings Boys High School at 17 to join the army, spending two years in the infantry in Christchurch before knee injuries prevented him from continuing.
During his final 13 years, he worked at a packaging factory in Hastings.
"He was a bubbly, outgoing, engaging bloke and blossomed throughout his life. He kept fit and healthy and was a life member of the local Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu club."
Despite never marrying, Dene had plenty of friends as well as three older brothers, and on his father's side of the family, two brothers and a sister - "loved by all of them."
"He was never unemployed, he never went to jail, he wasn't a perfect person, he was a naughty boy at times like all of them are but he had a good history - good work ethic -
just made some wrong choices here and there. He loved his thirty-three and the Canadian Club bourbon".
Mrs Berry got two tattoos after the death of her son; a replica of the owl he had tattooed on his neck as well as a copy of his handprint.
"I carried Dene under my heart for nine months, which included his donated organs, so all those organs are part of me as well, so I am really proud to be able to have given the opportunity for not only Dene to have 31 years but all the other people out there that he has enabled to continue on with their life. The big picture is huge compared to what happens on the day and on reflection I wouldn't do it any differently.
"People need to be mindful that at the time it is a very hard thing to conceive in your mind but if people can help people you should really go for it."
WHERE TO GET HELP
* Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354* Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757
* Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116
* Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666
* Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
* Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz
* 0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
* Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.
* Your local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
* Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.
For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).