Miriam “Mim” Herwig, 91, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2015, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, with family members by her side.
She was born on June 30, 1923, in Barre, Vermont, to Earl and Mildred (Farr) Boyce of Williamstown, Vermont, where she grew up on the family farm. She graduated as the valedictorian of Williamstown High School in 1941 and was the salutatorian of the Class of 1943 at Vermont Junior College in Montpelier.
Mim worked for National Life in Montpelier before marrying Wesley Herwig of New Britain, Connecticut, on May 18, 1946. The two had become acquainted as contributors to a youth section in the Rural New Yorker publication. The couple settled in the Randolph area, moving into their stately Randolph Center home in 1950, where Mim and Wes raised their family.
Mim was a gifted writer who wrote several books besides editing and publishing over 40 books for others through Greenhills Books, a business she and Wes conducted. She served as a local newspaper correspondent and weather columnist, as well. A respected historian, she delivered many talks about historical events and championed numerous related projects including the establishment of historic districts, the erection of markers and the restoration of buildings.
An active member of the community, Mim's affiliations included membership and offices in the Vermont Historical Society, Randolph Historical Society, First Congregational Church of Randolph Center, Poetry Society of Vermont, Mayflower Society, Vermont Old Cemetery Association, Randolph Planning Commission, World's Fair Association, Hilltop School Club, Home Demonstration Club and 4-H and Youth leadership.
She was a charter member of the Winter Haters Club. She was honored as a WCAX Super Senior and received a Successful Aging award from the Central Vermont Council on Aging. Mim enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, poetry, birdwatching, baking, sewing, sliding, bike riding, compiling scrapbooks, hosting family gatherings, playing the piano and organ and sharing her wealth of knowledge with others. For many years, she played the organ in the “antique cabin” at the Tunbridge Fair.
Survivors include daughters Merrilee McTighe and R. Lee Collette of West Townsend, Massachusetts, Trudy and Bill DeFlorio of Randolph Center, Daphne Herwig of East Roxbury, Christy Herwig of Randolph and Holly and Jody Benoir of Braintree; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; as well as two nephews.
Mim was predeceased by her husband, Wes, in 2003 and brother, Robert Boyce, in 2014.
Calling hours will be Saturday, June 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Day Funeral Home in Randolph. A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 7, at 1 p.m. at Randolph Center Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Randolph Center Tree Fund, c/o Mike Regan, Ski Tow Road, Randolph Center, VT 05061. Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.
