Former longtime resident, nurse, painter
Carol Herbert. (Courtesy photo)
Carolyn Wells Herbert, 79, of Wilmington, Vermont, and formerly a 45-year resident of Harvard, died peacefully at her residence on Friday morning, Dec. 28, 2018. She was the wife of William J. “Bill” Herbert.
Born Feb. 13, 1939, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Carol was the daughter of the late William F. Wells and Mildred Hoadley. She grew up in Waterbury, and attended Crosby High School and Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing, where she earned her degree in nursing.
In 1961, Carol married William “Bill” Herbert of Waterbury. The couple later settled in Harvard, where they raised their two children, Crista and Keith.
For 13 years, Carol was a nurse in the office of Dr. Jeffrey Harris of Harvard. A lifelong volunteer, Carol especially enjoyed working with seniors through activities sponsored by the Council on Aging. Carol was an avid gardener and party host. She loved throwing parties for any event, from birthdays to a rainy weekend. She also found time to paint any flat surface with lively patterns and bright colors. One of Carol’s favorite Harvard activities was attending Fruitlands Museum summer concerts.
Throughout their time in Harvard, Carol and Bill frequently traveled to Vermont with their children, where they all enjoyed skiing. In 2014 the couple moved to Wilmington, Vermont, to be near their children and grandchildren. In Wilmington, Carol noticed the need for and started a cancer support group, which continues to this day. She also volunteered for the Aging in Place initiative. Recently, Carol realized a long-time desire to paint a scene of people attending a Fruitlands Museum summer concert, and her painting was shown during the 2018 season. (See Harvard Press, Aug. 16, 2018, “The Lit’ry Life 2018: Painting by Carolyn Herbert.”)
Carol is survived by her husband, Bill; her daughter, Crista Herbert Gannon, and husband, John Gannon; her son, Keith Herbert, and wife, Kathleen Cincotta; and her grandchildren, John Hambleton, Katherine Hambleton, and Kira McCloskey. She is also survived by her brother, Frederick Wells, and his wife, Ruth Wells, of Camarillo, California.
Family and friends will gathered to honor and remember Carolyn for a period of visitation on Friday evening, January 4, 2019, in the Badger Funeral Home, 45 School Street, Groton. Her funeral mass was be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road, Harvard, concluding with interment in Bellevue Cemetery. A reception followed at the Groton Inn, 128 Main Street, Groton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Southwestern Vermont Cancer Center in honor of Carolyn W. Herbert.
