Anna R. Herdlein

Anna Regina Herdlein, age 30, died peacefully in New Hampshire in the early morning hours on November 18th, 2020. After a brief but heroic battle with an extremely aggressive cancer, she chose to spend the last weeks of her life focusing on the quality of the time she had left. Anna was able to hospice at home with the help of her two angels, Russell Pandres and Sally Risk. While every death is often felt to be "too soon," Ewing's sarcoma is typically a disease of young children. There are very few cases in adults and the prognosis was grim. Anna

Anna was devastatingly funny and heartbreakingly kind. She always helped people in crisis or times of trouble, putting others ahead of herself. These qualities were never so apparent than when she planned what needed to happen after her death for the people she loved. Anna reminded me of the Robert De Niro character in the "Meet the Parents" movie when he discussed his philosophy of what it meant to "be in the circle of trust." Anna was a bit more tolerant but no less methodical!

Anna was born in Seattle, WA, to Sharon Therrien Herdlein and Robert Herdlein, who were originally from Forestville (not really a town, except to Anna's maternal grandfather) and New Britain, CT. She spent her first 7 years in the best cul-de-sac in the world (111 th PL SE, Kent WA, I still love you all). There were kids everywhere and parents of all ages and cultures. Eventually, Anna's family moved back to the east coast to be closer to elderly family members.

Anna went to Weston School (Grade 2 -5) in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she was taller than all her teachers until the 4 th grade and politely instructed everyone "that there was no R in Anna." She played soccer at Manchester East Soccer League, enjoying the general fun more than the actual sport. Then it was off to Hillside Middle School where she met people who became lifelong friends, some of whom where even taller than she was. Anna went to Central High School where she thrived academically and socially. In conjunction with student activities (newspaper) and sports (field hockey, crew, and cross-country skiing), Anna's personality began to solidify.

At home, Anna was incredibly lucky to again have a great group of kids and families in the Highview Terrace "crew." And I cannot fail to mention the love and support of her work family at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant (and introducing everyone in the family to "purple cow"!)

Loving crew at Central led to Anna applying for a rowing scholarship at the University of Iowa. It was somewhat amazing that she was accepted considering she told the selection committee that she really "loved Iowa potatoes" (confusing Iowa with Idaho). Anna spent four years completely crushing it, academically and athletically, and earned her B.A. in psychology. She brought endless joy and laughter to her teammates (and their families) with her infectious sense of humor, and they became her Hawkeye family.

Anna returned to the east coast after college and in her professional life became a fierce advocate for mental health, human rights, animal rights, and making the world a better place. She worked in mental health treatment homes in MA and AmeriCorps in Fall River, MA. where was leading trainings in mental health first aid. She also learned to write grants for an advocacy/organizing union for marginalized people. She volunteered with needle exchanges, food banks, and animal shelters. Her favorite was the Brown Dog Coalition, a Massachusetts animal rescue organization, where she fostered dogs in need of adoption. For a short time, when Anna lived in Manchester, she worked with the novice women of the Concord Crew Team and loved it.

Anna loved being in nature and visiting Dog Mountain, VT. Anna had recently decided to try camping but had to work up to successfully sleeping outside with animals other than her dogs. She also loved being around water and always made time for swimming, whether that be at the beach, the backyard pool, or just spending time near local ponds, lakes, or rivers.

Anna's father, Robert Herdlein, was an artist and a kindred spirit who died in 2018. Missing her father's presence in her life, Anna started painting to feel closer to him. In 2019, her paintings were featured in a gallery reception at the Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA.

Anna was both tough and sensitive with a heart the size of a galaxy, and she cared deeply for the things she believed in and the people she loved. When Anna found out about the cancer that would kill her, she mourned for the things she would miss: the birthdays, the weddings, the good days and the bad, the moments with her family and friends, and the places she would never travel to see.

Anna found peace knowing that her beloved father, Robert Herdlein, her uncle, Bruce Therrien, and both sets of grandparents would be with her on the other side. And of course, "Buster, the most genius, GENUIS, genius (said in the way only she could say it) dog in the world", eagerly waiting to greet her on the Rainbow Bridge while her cat Poopsie waits indoors.

Anna is survived by her kind and loving partner, Russell Pandres, Lowell, MA, her mother, Sharon Herdlein, and her brother, Matthew Herdlein (fiancé Katie Williamson). She will be acutely missed by many friends and family including Cindy Teeple/Michael Rotindo, Barbara Jago, Lauren Rockwood, Sally Risk, Katy Krol, cousin Tom Kelly (wife Carol and daughter Laura), Sarah Gerston, Scott Stirling, Connie Pelletier, Uncle Paul (Sue) Therrien, Liz Kulig, the Goode family, the Jobin family, the Fairweather family, and Connie Montgomery

Due to Covid-19, we will be doing a Zoom Celebration of Life and invite you to attend. Details provided below:

Barbara Jago (she/her) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Anna's Memorial Service

Time: Dec 8, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://unh.zoom.us/j/94937261199

Or Telephone:
Dial: +1 301 715 8592 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 949 3726 1199
International numbers available:
https://unh.zoom.us/u/aeh5HdbZol