Barbara L. Herting

Barbara L. Herting, 89, of Stroudsburg, passed from life on Thursday, October 17, 2024 after a long struggle with stroke induced dementia. She was the wife of Frank Herting.
Born on May 4, 1935 in Norwegian Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Roy R. and Marion (Westa) Larson and graduated with honors in 1953 from Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn. Following high school, Barbara attended the Brooklyn Hospital School of Nursing for a license and degree as a Registered Nurse, graduating in 1956. After her marriage and the birth of three children, Barbara earned her Bachelors Degree in health sciences from Jersey City State College in 1980.
Barbara and Frank first met when they shared a chemistry class as seniors in Fort Hamilton High School. Although sitting on the opposite side of the classroom Frank was attracted to this very pretty, popular classmate and was eager to learn her name. One day after school dismissed Frank followed Barbara to her crowded city bus and managed to stand next to her for her ride home. He introduced himself, they talked about chemistry and classmates, requested and was given her telephone number before he had to disembark. Feeling confident at last Frank called Barbara later that afternoon and after chatting nervously he asked her for a date on the coming Saturday. Barbara said "no", claiming that she had prior plans. Emboldened and persistent Frank requested a date for the next Saturday. Again, her answer was "sorry, prior plan." As things turned out it was eight Saturdays later before they had their first date, attending the movie Hans Christian Anderson, starring the then famous Danny Kaye, showing at a theater in Times Square. Ice cream sodas topped off the evening. When Frank said "good-night" at Barbara's front door there was no thank-you kiss offered, but many followed thereafter as their relationship continued uninterrupted for 71 wonderful years, including 67 as husband and wife!
Barbara practiced nursing in hospitals at staff and supervisory levels in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Her final twelve years of practice were as an elementary and junior high school nurse, retiring in 1992. Throughout her career she lovingly cared for ill children, in-laws, and friends wherever needed or called upon.
Regardless of the community of residence, Barbara was widely involved in a variety of services and organization, chairing committees, fund rasing and lending a hand whenever needed. She was a member of the Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs and the Rotary Foundation. She served with the League of Women Voters, the Monroe County Historical Association; chaired the children's services committee of the Pocono Family YMCA, and was an advisor to the horticulture program at the Monroe County Vocational-Technical School. Barbara also was Sunday School Superintendent of the First Presbyterian Church of North Plainfield, NJ and supported committees serving First Presbyterian Church of Stroudsburg.
Barbara was an avid bridge player and gardener, loved oil painting, studied Scandinavian history and traveled widely in the United States and Europe.
In addition to her husband, Barbara is survived by and proud beyond description of her children, Victoria H. Wallace and husband David of Exeter, RI, Kathryn H. Perez and husband Michael of Califon, NJ and Thomas A. Herting and wife Sarah of Cortland, NY; grandchildren, Andrew Wallace and Kate Wallace Lowery and husband Matt of North Kingstown, RI, Jason Perez of Eagle River, AK, Drs. Dana Perez Davis and husband Zachary of Northport, LI, NY, Drs. Molly Herting Zehr and husband Jordan of Cortland, NY and Lucas Herting of Charlotte, NC; and great grandchildren, Dario and Talia Davis and Brielle and Bennett Lowery.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 28th, at 2:00PM at First Presbyterian Church, 575 Main Street, Stroudsburg with Rev. Beth Utley officiating.