Born in Preston, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late George and Edna (Main) Mattern.
A graduate of Norwich Free Academy, class of 1941, Mrs. Herreshoff always referred to herself as a “Home Executive” when asked what her occupation was. She worked as a secretary for the Rhode Island Historical Society at the John Brown House. She was a member of the First Christian Congregational Church in Swansea, the Cole’s River Club and the Swansea Garden Club. With a true appreciation of nature, Mrs. Herreshoff loved birds, flowers and the sunshine.
She is survived by four daughters, Erna E. Place of Punta Gorda, FL, Jane Weaver of Rockville, MD, Jill Ambrose of Swansea, Freida “Bibs” Cormier of Windham, ME; one son, Robert E. Place of Swansea; one wonderful daughter-in-law, Claire; four wonderful son-in-law’s, Jim, Don, Pete and Tom; one brother, James Mattern; three sisters, Marjorie Dayton, Mildred Harris and Shirley Pandora all of CT. She was also the loving grandmother of 13 grandchildren and great-grandmother of 17. She was the mother of the late John W. Place III and sister of the late Emma Norcross, Helen Washburn, George, Edward and Theodore Mattern.
The family would like to thank Patty and Cheryl and all of the staff from One Solution Home Care along with Community Nurse Home Care for the compassionate care and kindness they provided to Freida.
A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 10:00AM in the First Christian Congregational Church, 1113 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea. Relatives and friends invited. Contributions in her honor may be made to the Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope St., Bristol, RI 02809. Burial private.