Edna Ellen (Walker) Herbert, of Damariscotta, died March 23. She was born the daughter of Henry W. Walker and Augusta C. (Mulligan) Walker on Sept. 23, 1913 in Hinsdale, N.H. on her grandfather’s farm along the banks of the Connecticut River. The farm was a place of happy memories for Edna. Edna’s family moved to the Boston area where she spent much of her life but her heart was ever in the country.
Edna was born the oldest of three children. Henry, who is called ‘brother’, and Mary who was known as ‘Dolly’ because Edna referred to her baby sister as her “dolly”.
Determined to improve her station in life Edna enrolled in nursing school in Toledo, Ohio (she experienced the disturbing results of a labor riot there). She then worked for a while in New York City. Edna returned to Boston where she married Clayton Herbert in 1936. The couple lost their first child, Barbara Anne, at birth, but later celebrated the births of Clayton, Jr. and Gregory.
She became a Cub Scout den mother, president of the Patrick Lyndon Elementary School’s Home and School Association and served on the board of Citizens for Boston Schools. While on the board she marched in support of civil rights with Martin Luther King.
She became the Director of Volunteer Services at Faulkner Hospital and later at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
The ten-year period from 1967 to 1977 was a difficult time of struggle and loss. Her son Clayton served in Vietnam. Her son Greg died in 1970. Her husband died in 1973. This was a tough period in her life compounded with being let go from her job at Faulkner Hospital. She contested the firing in court, won and then moved on to a position at St. Elizabeth’s.
After the death of her husband, Edna sold the family home in Chestnut Hill. She then purchased a Yankee Barn and it was built on land in New Hampshire she had bought years before. Edna traveled from her Boston job and apartment to spend every weekend there. She shared her home with friends and family. It was her joy to cook for her guests all weekend long, filling them up with her famous chocolate chip cookies, apple pies and hearty farm breakfasts.
Edna worked in Boston hospitals till she was 70. Soon after retiring to New Hampshire she organized the Mediation Program in Newport, N.H. Later she became the first woman in the 200-year history of her adopted town, Bradford, N.H., to serve as Selectman.
Edna’s dream of a family farm was complete when, at 75 years of age, she adopted two great loves of her life, her horses Rusty and Rumors. She turned her land into a highly successful tree farm with beautiful bridal paths and a pond. Animals and nature were important to Edna. Her black lab, Sam, was her constant companion.
Edna enjoyed introducing nature and horses to her grandchildren, Erik, David, and Melissa and nephew, Billy.
With music in her soul, she loved to dance and sing. She liked to eat beans and franks on Saturday night. She loved sweets and a friendly cup of coffee. Her appreciation for donuts reached back to the crock in her grandmother’s buttery.
Edna moved to Damariscotta to be near her family. She is survived by her son, Clayton Herbert and daughter-in-law Jane Herbert of Damariscotta; grandson, David Herbert of Bremen; granddaughter, Melissa Herbert of Portland; grandson, Erik Herbert of Knoxville, Tenn.; four great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Walker of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
She will be laid to rest, with her husband, at the Sunny Plain Cemetery, Bradford, N.H.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Macular Degeneration Research. Checks made payable to Tufts Medical Center with memo for Dr. J. Seddon’s Research and mailed to Dr. Johanna Seddon, New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., # 450, Boston, MA 02111.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
