Obituary of Anita B Herron

Anita (Ann) Herron, longtime Rye resident, died peacefully at her home in Rye, NY on Monday February 28, 2022 at 100 years of age.

Mrs. Herron was born Anita Emma Bertha Neumeyer on Christmas Day, December 25, 1921 in Bay City, Michigan to Edwin and Hedwig Walter Neumeyer. She was educated in Bay City and graduated from Central High School in 1941, the first female to do so in the farming community. She worked for General Motors in Bay City from 1941-1946, using her earnings to establish her sister Vera in business. In 1947, she moved to New York City to work for British Overseas Airway Corporation (BOAC) as a ground stewardess, traveling the world for nine years and visiting six continents (Antarctica was too cold).

On December 6, 1955 she married Douglas G. Herron at Grace Lutheran Church in Jamaica, Queens, NY. They moved to Doug’s hometown of Rye, NY in 1956 and lived for a few years at Highland Hall until beginning their family. In 1960, they moved to their home on Oakwood Avenue by Rye Beach, in the same neighborhood where her husband grew up. Ann would live there for 62 years.

Locally, she was an active member of First Lutheran Church of Greenwich and her husband’s family church, Rye Presbyterian, as well as Altar Guild, Lutheran Women’s Ministry League, Ceres Garden Club of Rye, Women’s Club of Rye, Rye Girl Scout Leaders, Rye Historical Society (as Volunteer Coordinator and costumed hostess), Rye Nature Center, Milton School PTO, Rye Seniors, and Literacy Volunteers of Westchester. Mrs. Herron worked as an order editor for Avon in Rye for nine years until her retirement in 1981. She enjoyed playing Canasta with neighborhood friends, going on trips with her husband Doug through Rye Seniors, gardening, and spending time with her three beloved granddaughters who grew up in the house next door.

Ann Herron will be remembered for her strong faith, wry wit, spirit of volunteerism, gracious hosting, and timeless elegance. She is survived by her son James Herron of Mountlake Terrace, WA; daughter The Rev. Dr. Ruth Herron Smalt of Siesta Key, FL; three granddaughters Robin Sykes (Kevin) of Nashville, TN; Lindy Gould (Willie) of Rye; Molly Ketch (Stephen) of Manassas, VA; three great-granddaughters, Elodie and Selah Sykes and Skyler Gould; two of her six siblings, Shirley Wachtel of Portland, OR and Donna Schmidt (Roy) of Bay City, MI and numerous nieces, nephews and grands.

Memorial gifts may be made to Rye Presbyterian Church, 882 Boston Post Rd. Rye, NY 10580 or First Lutheran Church, 38 Field Point Rd. Greenwich, CT 06830.

Calling hours are Wednesday March 2 from 4-7pm at Graham’s Funeral Home in Rye.

The funeral is Thursday March 3 at 10:00am Rye Presbyterian Church, Rye, NY.