ArthritisLink: Barbara Herold

Surrounded by family, Barbara Herold passed away following a short illness in February 2004. She was 66 years old. With a positive outlook and independent spirit, Barbara had battled with rheumatoid disease for 25 years. Her rheumatoid disease was a contributing factor in her death.

Barbara was born in Philadelphia in 1937 and resided in Oxford Circle until 1954, when her family moved to Abington. She was a 1955 graduate of Abington High School and earned an associate's degree at Susquehanna University in 1957.

She was employed for several years as a medical secretary at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

She married Martin Herold in 1963 and raised two children as a full-time homemaker. In 1982, two weeks after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Martin died suddenly leaving Barbara as a young widow with two young children and an uncertain future. Despite these setbacks, Barbara maintained a positive outlook, raising her children successfully to adulthood with stability and faith.

Barbara was a lover of animals, particularly birds, which she had as pets for her entire life. For many years, she took in orphaned and injured birds and animals in order to rehabilitate and release them back into nature. Her love of animals was passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Despite her disability, Barbara traveled extensively in her later years, but her favorite vacation spot remained Ocean City, New Jersey, where she visited nearly every summer of her life. She was also very involved with her church and many social groups. Recently, she had been involved with the Red Hat Society, whose purpose is to "Celebrate life with our friends and bring a smile to those around us."

Barbara's legacy is her strength and perseverance through times of adversity. Despite a debilitating disease and being widowed at a young age, she managed to rear two children on her own and care for her aging mother while maintaining a positive spirit and a strong faith in God. Her example of selfless love had a profound effect on all who knew her and is an inspiration to her children and grandchildren as they confront life now and into the future.

Contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or through purchases of her grandson's notecards.

This site, dedicated to the memory of Barbara Herold, is unaffiliated with the Arthritis Foundation.

Half of the purchase price of notecards will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation to further research, in Barbara's memory.

Donations also may be made directly to the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org