"Take advantage of your opportunities", "Never stop learning". Mom and dad certainly took advantage of their opportunity by accepting a job that would whisk them off to the island of Guam to teach and work at the high school for 6 years.Every 2 years it was mandatory for them to go back to the states.Dad took the government stipend , and cobbled a vacation that took them around the world.Then later, after dad's Parkinson became too much for mom (20+ years); mom wanted to write their memoir.She asked if I could show her how to use a computer.She never did stop learning.She finished it now i need to get it published.Along the way one of her short stories got published.She never stopped learning.One last thing about mom.She was someone who always would share everything ."Hey,mom.The band needs a place to practice.""Steve,the band could use our basement."She would let my friends come over for thanksgiving dinner.The last couple of years before she passed,I would try to take her out everyday (she would get claustrophobic). This would always end with an ice cream CONE (mint chocolate chip). She would save the last bite for me.Now,I was cutting back on the ice cream.I tried to say no.I realized that at this point in her life she had little to give .That was the best bite of ice cream.She was literally"The Giving Tree". I will end this by saying because of you I am me.Your family misses you ,as do the rabbits,squirrels,and butterflies. Thank you for everything you have done. -Your son, Steve




Mary Frances aka "mom". I was truly blessed to have her in my life as mom.She always made me feel loved and special.When I came home from school she had graham cracker sandwiches with chocolate in the middle and milk.We would sit together and I would tell her about my day at school.  She would listen,and always made me feel better at the end.She  greeted my friends with open arms and would feed them,and talk with them,sometimes giving them sagely advice; if they had problems.She had many talents,one of which was being gifted in the arts and craft.She had a business (Country Cottage Craft)  When dad got Parkinson's,she showed me what true sacrifice was.She became an expert on the disease.She so sweet with him.After 30+  years we had to place dad in a nursing home.She had one more talent that bubbled out.She started to write.She was going to write her and dad's  memoir.She have to learn how to use a computer.She took a course at Montgomery College.She told me how all of the much younger students help her,and would engage her about the course they were taking.I wish I was at home so I could give her some cookies and milk after school.I will end with what I feel was her most endearing trait.She was always giving of herself to everyone.Whether it was time,advice ,food ,kindness,or love .She was ready to share it all.   Mom ,you made this world a better place,you touched many people in a gentle positive way. I am so proud of you.You and dad are reunited now and for that I am happy.  Your son -Steve

Q: What will you never forget about Mary?
            
            A: Mary Frances aka "mom". I was truly blessed to have her in my life as mom.She always made me feel loved and special.When I came home from school she had graham cracker sandwiches with chocolate in the middle and milk.We would sit together and I would tell her about my day at school. She would listen,and always made me feel better at the end.She greeted my friends with open arms and would feed them,and talk with them,sometimes giving them sagely advice; if they had problems.She had many talents,one of which was being gifted in the arts and craft.She had a business (Country Cottage Craft) When dad got Parkinson's,she showed me what true sacrifice was.She became an expert on the disease.She so sweet with him.After 30+ years we had to place dad in a nursing home.She had one more talent that bubbled out.She started to write.She was going to write her and dad's memoir.She have to learn how to use a computer.She took a course at Montgomery College.She told me how all of the much younger students help her,and would engage her about the course they were taking.I wish I was at home so I could give her some cookies and milk after school.I will end with what I feel was her most endearing trait.She was always giving of herself to everyone.Whether it was time,advice ,food ,kindness,or love .She was ready to share it all. Mom ,you made this world a better place,you touched many people in a gentle positive way. I am so proud of you.You and dad are reunited now and for that I am happy. Your son -Steve

I was truly blessed to have been chosen to be part of the Hertslet family. Two of the greatest parents imaginable and an accepting loving & supporting big brother (Steve) to boot! All three taught me what the true meaning of family is
Mom was my first best friend. She taught me everything from kindness to sewing and baking. A true crafts woman and extremely  artistic, I learned so much from her many talents. She was my confidante, (a safe
 vault for my secrets). She never judged & always had encouraging words. No matter how heavy the load was, she always had time to listen to me complain or share some small victory I had achieved. Said victory could be as simple as surviving a work day. Nothing ever seemed real until I shared it with her. My husband and I would go on an excursion or to the city to see a play. Whatever it was I couldn’t wait to get home and call her. No matter how late, she would answer and patiently listen, sharing in my experience,
We often talked into the wee hours of the morning about everything and nothing. I cherished that time together. 
She loved and embraced everyone and all animals. ( her middle name was Frances after all).
Words cannot express my gratitude for being the best Mother anyone could ask for. How did I get so lucky?
I will forever miss & love ❤️ you, my very first best friend.

Lisa 


My deepest condolences, sympathy and prayers to the Herslet family. 

Kimberly Purvis West

Jerry Ann Cafeteria  visits while in St Joseph, Missouri  to visit her Mother Frances Smith.

To Steve & the Hertslet Family - 
Starting at age 4, Mary & Hersh were litterly my 2nd set of parents, growing up across the street from each other in the heart of B-Town.  When Steve and I formed our rock band Free Spirit, Mary & Hersh graciously allowed us to practice in their basement, and supported us in every way they could, which meant the world to us, especially me!  Both of them would come downstairs, sit and listen to us play, offer encouragement to us, & then Lisa would also come down, bring her friends, & dance around as we played.  

They weren't the only parents to do so, there were many others whose basements and garages we practiced in (The Burton's, The Coleman's, The Rasmussens, etc.), I thank them all for their support and love for us.  

Mary & Hersh cared for us, the neighborhood kids, as if we really were their own, including guiding us thru our childhoods/teenagehoods/adulthoods, because in a sense, we were - that's how they were as people - as did the other sets of parents!  It was a time like no other, the best time/place to go grow up, & unfortunately, won't come again.  Thank you Mary & Hersh for the love/caring/giving/sharing you gave to all of us, especially me!  Thank you Steve/Lisa for a lifetime of a best friendship, family, love that is ever-lasting!  The tv show Happy Days had their Mr. & Mrs. C - we were Blessed to have our Mr. & Mrs. H!

Mary - as Stevie Nicks sings in one of her songs - "Just like the White Wing Dove Sings a Song, Sounds like she's singing ooh, ooh, ooh!"  So Fly on the Wings of Your White Wing Dove to the Heavens Mary, say hi to Hersh for us!  We are truly Blessed to have you all a part of our lives!
Peace, Love, Rock n Roll!
Brian BC Campbell
P.S. - Thanks Mary for the cookies/snacks/dinners, etc. we would raid the fridge and cabinets to keep us Rockin!

OBITUARY

Mary Frances Hertslet

June 18, 1932 – February 23, 2023

DeVol Funeral Home

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