Marilyn Herman

Marilyn S Herman passed away on January 12, 2026 at the age of 96. She was born in The Bronx on September 26, 1929 to Louis and Jean Serebin, who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. She was the second of six children, and their household also included a beloved first cousin who grew up with them and additional foster children. Since 2018, Marilyn resided in Yonkers. She spent her first 55 years living in The Bronx and then more than 30 years living in Sunrise, Florida.

While raising three children, Marilyn earned an undergraduate degree in education from Lehman College and then two master's degrees in education from Hunter College. She had a distinguished two decade career as an elementary school teacher in The Bronx, mostly at Community School 50. She served in a number of different roles during her career in education, but her favorite position was as a pioneering teacher of Family Living including Sex Education.

Marilyn had three children from her first marriage - Barbara, Michael, and Howell Wechsler - whom she raised on her own. She imbued her children with a passion for education and serving others. All three graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, earned advanced degrees, and went on to distinguished careers in helping professions: Barbara as a physician, Michael as a social worker, and Howell as a public health professional.

In 1982, Marilyn met and married the love of her life, Herbert Herman, who was also an educator in The Bronx. Marilyn and Herb loved having their grandchildren visit them for weekends at "Camp Herman," the couple's summer cottage in New Jersey, where the little ones were taught how to fish. Every time a new grandchild was born, they planted a tree at their summer place to commemorate the occasion.

Upon retirement from the New York City school system in 1985, Marilyn and Herb settled in a beautiful home in Sunrise, Florida, where they were active members of Congregation Ramat Shalom in Plantation, Florida. After her husband's death in 2000, Marilyn endowed the Herbert Herman Memorial Garden to share his love of nature with the congregation's religious school students. Marilyn served for many years as a volunteer at her local hospice, bringing comfort to patients and families as they faced death; she was named Volunteer of the Year multiple times.

Marilyn enjoyed traveling, including several trips to Israel, a country that she loved dearly, and adventures in Mexico and Greece. One of her most exciting journeys was traveling to the Republic of Zaire in Central Africa to visit her son Howell during his Peace Corps service there; during this trip, she visited the famous mountain gorillas, canoed down the Congo River, enjoyed wildlife and nature, visited four different cities, helped women pound cassava leaves to make them edible, and received the gift of a chicken from a Zairian family that was impressed by her spirit of adventure.

Marilyn loved old movies, Broadway musicals, and listening to mystery books on tape. She was an active walker and avid exerciser, even into her 96th year. She loved to stay busy and volunteered every week to fold napkins for her friends working in the dining room of the independent living facility where she resided.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Howell Wechsler (Laurie) and Barbara Wechsler; her beloved grandchildren, Leah Staub, Andrew Staub (Rachel), Alex Wechsler (Julie Montoya), and Tatiana Wechsler; and her adored great grandchildren, Jonah Staub, Hallie Staub, Ari Staub, and Willow Wechsler. Marilyn was predeceased by her loving husband, Herbert Herman; her son, Michael Wechsler; her granddaughter, Hana Beth Staub; her sisters Arlene Goldstein and Beth Serebin; her brothers Steve Serebin, Ben Serebin, and Joel Serebin; and her cousin Dr. Sam Switzer.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Congregation Kol Ami's Chapel in the Woods (252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606). Burial will immediately follow at King Solomon Cemetery (550 Dwasline Road, Clifton, NJ 07012).

The family will be observing shiva at Congregation Kol Ami's Chapel in the Woods (252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606) on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 7:30-9:00 PM with a shiva service at 7:30PM; and on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 1:00-4:00 PM. Donations in memory of Marilyn may be made to Hospice Foundation of America or to the ARC of the United States.