Hermé de Wyman Miro

Hermé de Wyman Miro, a vibrant part of Palm Beach society since 1967 known for her European grace and charm, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at her home in Palm Beach, FL. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, she was the only child of Mathilde Eugenie Haugh Humbert and Herman Humbert both of Swiss origin. Mrs. de Wyman Miro graduated from the Conservatory of Music and Arts. She was a concert pianist at an early age and a Prima Ballerina at The Vienna Opera. She studied portrait paintings and painted prominent people including those of President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Pope Pius XII, Dr. Albert Schweitzer and Sir Winston Churchill. Mrs.de Wyman Miro and her husband, Rene de Wyman, became citizens of the United States at the same time.

After her marriage to René de Wyman, an international banker, she became interested in the financial world and graduated from the New York Institute of Finance.

In 1972, Mr. and Mrs. de Wyman were invited to the White House and asked to be founders and chairmen of the Voluntary Action Center for Palm Beach County, Florida, helping in education, health care and countless other ways. Mr. and Mrs. de Wyman received a White House Citation.

Hermé de Wyman, together with her husband René, founded The International Society of Palm Beach (“The Society”) in the 1970’s but it was not chartered until 1984 and she was President and active until her death. She chaired the annual International Society of Palm Beach Holiday Gala for 40 years. Her marriage to her beloved first husband lasted 54 years. René de Wyman predeceased her in 1991.

In 1996, Hermé de Wyman married David M. Miro, a prominent attorney from Bloomfield Hills, MI. He was very supportive of her many charitable endeavors. Her marriage to her cherished second husband lasted 9 years. He predeceased her in 2005.

Hermé often referred to The International Society as her “Labor of Love”. The Society had the dedicated purpose to make a difference in the lives of many by giving something back to our community. Its purpose was to distribute scholarships and grants to foster education, support humanitarian causes which helped the hungry, the homeless, the elderly, abused women and children, disabled veterans, enriched the arts, supported medical research and animal welfare. Thanks to Hermé’s devotion and hard work, since its inception, The Society was able to distribute grants to worthy charities totaling more than $5 million dollars.

Active for many years with Northwood University, Hermé de Wyman Miro chaired the University's Palm Beach Chapter and in April 1999, chaired the Northwood University 40th Anniversary Celebration luncheon in Palm Beach. On May 20, 1999 Hermé de Wyman Miro received the degree of Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, from Northwood University.

Hermé de Wyman Miro was Chairman of the Board of the Palm Beach Round Table and served as such since 2001 and chaired all Palm Beach Round Table events since then. She was actively involved with The Palm Beach Round Table since 1972 and considered the Round Table her other “labor of love” and an important part of her life. Hermé was executive Vice President of The Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches, now The Palm Beach Opera, and was a member of the Opera’s Board of Governors.

Hermé was also an Honorary Member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross, Palm Beach Chapter. She served as Honorary Chairman and Chairman for numerous events such as Salvation Army, American Lung Association, Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, Palm Beach Pops, The Garnett Society of WXEL, National Honorary Chairman of the Alzheimer’s Association, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Schepens Eye Institute, Easter Seals, Northwood University, Co-Chairman American Red Cross for 2015 and 2016. She is a member of the Board of Governors for Palm Beach Opera for over 20 years.

Hermé de Wyman Miro’s extensive philanthropic work and other community achievements, earned her the following honors and awards:

• Northwood University honored Hermé with the highest recognition any University can give: Doctor of Humanitarian, Honoris Causa.

• Emerson College honored Hermé with the Eleanor Roosevelt Excellence in Community Service Award

• She was knighted by the Order of St. John, Knights of Malta and by the Order of St. George for her charitable work.

• She received The Woman of Distinction Award from the March of Dimes and The William Booth Society Award from the Salvation Army.

• She was honored for her outstanding service and dedication to Humanitarian Ideals of the City of Hope Medical Center and Research Institute and received the “SPIRIT OF LIFE” Award

• The Victoria Award honored Hermé for her many years of charitable work and for being one of the longest charitable contributors to our community.

• She was honoree at the National Philanthropy Awards Luncheon from the Association of Fundraising Professionals

• She received The Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Lung Association

• The Alzheimer’s Community Care’s inaugural Leo and Ann Albert Memorial Award

• She was honored by the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Women in Leadership Honorary Chairman

• Garnett Society WXEL awarded Hermé the “Women with Wings and Wisdom” award for philanthropic work and advice to many charities.

• She received the American Red Cross 2010 Real Heroes Award

• Recipient of 2012 Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation’s Humanitarian Award

• She was named the Founding International Woman with Wings and Wisdom in 2013

• She was the 2013 Palm Beach American Heart Association Ball Chairman

• In 2014 AKIM honored her as “Outstanding Woman of Our Century”

• In 2015 Center for Family Services honored her with their Lifetime Achievement Humanitarian Award

• In 2016 WXEL named her 2016 Founding International Women with Wings & Wisdom Honoree

Mrs. de Wyman Miro was a world traveler, for many years accompanied by her beloved Chihuahua, “Bijou” who passed away in early 2019 having lived a rich life to the age of 17. She knew she would never love again.

In August 2019, Mrs. de Wyman Miro was blessed to meet a 2.9 lb. Yorkie named Tinker Bell a/k/a Tiny. The "four-legged friends" in her life were all special, but Tiny filled a spot in her heart she never knew was empty. Tiny had eyes that pierced your soul and the heart of a Rottweiler. An immediate love affair began and months after Tiny's unfortunate passing due to a fall, Herme’s memory is still as vivid as if she were here. She never recovered from the loss of her beloved Tiny.

Mrs. de Wyman Miro is survived by her son, Ronald J. Wyman and daughter-in-law, Elaine M. Wyman of Walnut Creek, CA, two granddaughters, Julie Wyman Bartusch of San Ramon, CA and Diane Wyman Hendry of Danville, CA and four great grandchildren, Brody and Wyatt Bartusch and Chloe and Jack Hendry, and daughter Evelyn Hughes.

A closed casket Memorial Service for the public will be held at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Quattlebaum Funeral Home is handling local arrangements. Private interment will be in her family mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, Westchester County, NY.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish, you may contribute to The International Society of Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Round Table, the Royal Poinciana Chapel, or a charity of your choice.