Doctors discovered Pat Herber’s
stage IV ovarian cancer in a routine operation to remove
her gall bladder. A 12-year breast cancer survivor, Pat
was sadly familiar with the treatments she would need, but
determined to fight. She coped well after surgery and a
year of chemo, but quickly her ovarian cancer returned—this
time resistant to all treatments. Pat passed away on June
8, 2005, less than two years after the initial diagnosis.
She left behind her mother, Caroline, husband, Greg, oldest
son, Nathan (and wife Corinne), son Andrew (wife, Debbie
and daughter - to- be, Ella), and her daughter, Marsha.
Pat was the perfect mother, compassionate
and selfless, yet a true individual. She openly rejected
anything “domestic.” She found cooking boring;
she preferred the gym to crafts. A Spanish teacher by day,
she loved to read, loved to travel, loved to dance –
so full of life. Hysterical, witty, and brilliant - she
knew everything, and everyone adored her.
It was devastating for Pat’s family
to learn that her cancer was terminal – undoubtedly
one of the worst days of their lives. Pat was calm and resolute:
“Most people never get to have a family like ours.
Don’t be sad. We are lucky.”
The Pat Herber Memorial Fund supports the Lynne Cohen Preventative
Care Program for breast and ovarian cancer at the NYU Cancer
Institute. The family hopes to help keep amazing women like
Pat around for a long time.
