Rita Marie Herbert

Rita Marie (Monahan) Herbert, 96, of Westerly, R.I. wife of the late Patrick F. Herbert, passed away Sunday, August 03, 2014, at Academy Point in Mystic where she resided.
Born in Woodcliff on the Hudson, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Patrick J. and Louise (Averill) Monahan. After spending most of her adult life in New Brunswick, NJ, she relocated to Stonington, CT in 1973. She subsequently moved to Westerly, R.I., where she lived for over thirty years.
Rita retired from a horticultural career in import/export at Thomas Flynn Orchids in the late 70s but, she didn't quit working, she took on part-time work with MetLife and Foxwoods.
Throughout Rita's life she accomplished many things and witnessed many changes. As a civil rights and peace activist, she was present for Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech. She was a New Jersey delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Rita was gifted with a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She sang with St. Peter's Choir in New Brunswick, NJ for over 40 years. When she moved to Connecticut she joined the Mystic River Chorale. Later in life she followed her dream of onstage performance and performed locally in The American Musical Theatre. A few small movie parts came her way including a speaking part in the movie, Mystic Pizza. She was a travel enthusiast and especially enjoyed the worldwide travel programs that Elderhostel hosted.
Rita was active in many organizations including the Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) in NJ. Once in R.I., she joined the Westerly Democratic Town Committee, became a member of the Westerly Conservation Commission and the Pawcatuck VFW Auxillary. Rita was a strong voice for the elderly making sure their needs and concerns were heard. She celebrated her heritage as a proud member of the Irish American Coastal Club.
She is survived by three daughters, Sheila Herbert and her partner, William Hall, both of New London, Moira Herbert of Mystic and Rita Marie Herbert and her husband, Edwin Werner, of Penang, Malaysia and Stonington; four grandchildren, Daniel Herbert and his wife, Anna Sampson, Charles Herbert and his wife, Larissa, Krista Werner and her husband, Aaron Madsen. and Noel Herbert; three great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Donovan Herbert, and Clara Herbert; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Buckner of Farmington, MI; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Patrick Daniel Herbert and nine siblings, Cecelia, John, Rosalie, Justin, Joseph, Edgar, Aileen, Richard and James.
Calling hours will be held from 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, August 8th, at the Mystic Funeral Home Route 1 (51 Williams Ave.) Mystic.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday August 9th, at 10 a.m., St. Clare Church, 4 Saint Clare Way, Westerly. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Route 1 in Stonington, CT.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Doctors Without Borders, 333 Seventh Ave. 2nd Floor, NY, NY. 10001 or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (www.vfw.org).