Dorothy Wood Herbert

Dorothy Wood Herbert, 84, of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away November 23, 2019 at Brooks Howell Home.

Born July 1, 1935 in Yonkers, New York to the late Donald and Marjorie Wood, she graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and later earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Florida State University.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, David Furman Herbert, and their three children, Patricia Herbert Umhau, Charles Furman Herbert, Douglas Wood Herbert and their spouses, John, Cathie and Heidi. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: William, Lauren, Thomas, Hannah, Sarah Wood, Lydia, and several nieces and nephews, including Anne Brooks and David Peterson.

Mrs. Herbert had a long career in higher education as professor of graduate and undergraduate social work and as Academic Dean at Chapman University. She taught at UNC Greensboro, Hollins College, and most recently, completed 15 years at Warren Wilson College teaching social work and directing the Career Resource Center. Mrs. Herbert volunteered for 22 years at the Asheville Solace Center, teaching communication skills to the volunteers. Elsewhere, Mrs. Herbert also worked for many years as a clinical social worker in varied settings including a VA psychiatric hospital, Family Services Association, Lutheran Children’s Home, Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, Jewish Family Services, a county hospital and welfare department, Department of Public Health, Child Guidance clinic and in private practice. She served as Training Officer for the Department of Social Services in Greensboro, NC and as delegate to the White House Conference on Children. In addition to her numerous community contributions, Mrs. Herbert made a priority of being at home for her school-age children.

Dorothy Herbert was a member of Central United Methodist Church and the Unitarian Church of Asheville, the Asheville Preservation Society, Sweet Adelines, a competitor in the NC Senior games, a reader for the blind, a talented watercolorist, a library storyteller, a roller skating enthusiast, a volunteer for the Blue Ridge Parkway and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. For 7 years, Dorothy and David Herbert were active residents in the Crowfields Community.

A memorial celebration will be conducted at Lake Junaluska’s Memorial Chapel later this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Asheville.

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