Lorraine Herbst

Born on January 30, 1968, beloved daughter of Stephen C. Herbst and Babara J. Herbst, and big sister to Timothy S. Herbst. Lorraine was a courageous, vibrant soul who left us far too young. She passed away surrounded by her family and friends on September 1, 2015. She was a strong advocate for Women's Rights and rights of all disenfranchised people. Her passion and wit inspired many of her students over the years. Her infectious laugh will be greatly missed, as will her sassiness and candor.

Here are a few words from her Aunt and Uncle . . .

Dear, dear Lorraine Elizabeth left us all at far too young an age. She was the most adorable little girl with blonde ringlets in her hair and the best giggle ever! You wanted to giggle too when you heard it. She was always the little lady. When she would come to stay with us, I would take her with me on design appointments and she loved that. Clients would ask for years after, "How's LoriBeth?" She made such an impression on them.

Bobbie would drive back with LoriBeth and Tim most every summer to Nebraska. Bobbie knew the importance of those connections. LoriBeth and her Great-grandmother, Odetta were fast friends and she enjoyed cooking and gardening with her Grandmother, Phyllis.

When Bobbie, Tim and Lorraine moved into an apartment in Denver after moving from Hideaway Park, Bobbie was intent on "doing" her room. Lorraine selected a beautiful deep red wall covering with stripes of flowers in it. Bobbie and I hung the paper and she (LoriBeth) was literally happier by the moment. She loved it.

Lorraine also loved pretty clothes and took up knitting later in life. Green, the color of life, was her favorite and she looked great in it. Her birthday/Christmas presents from us were usually clothing. I knew they made her happy.

Lorraine was liberal arts major at Denver University. That was the perfect school for her----small classes and personal professor attention. She thrived there and went on for postgraduate work. Again an outstanding student with interests in many things. While at DU she worked at a recording studio with Heidi, Tim's first wife. They bonded and became great friends. We remember attending a party at the studio and Lorraine was very proud of her work and her boss was equally proud of her! I remember going to visit a friend of Lorraine's who had a ferret. I was terrified by that creature, but Lorraine thought nothing of it. A friend was a friend regardless of their pets.

Lorraine graduated with an Anthropology masters specializing in Women's Studies. She then moved to New York City where she went on to earn her PhD in Anthropology, focusing particullarly on the Oromo people of Africa. And after graduation, she went on to work with them further in Minneapolis.

Lorraine was strongly opinionated, but ordinary, day-to-day life was never easy for her----she really was more of an academic. When she lived in New York and was teaching there she created a wonderful garden. She remarked that she would love to have a flower shop sometime. And she would have been very good at that.

"Time is strange. A moment can be as short as a breath, or as long as eternity."

-Cornell Woolrich

We will miss you greatly. Rest in peace, dear heart. Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ron

The service will be held at September 10th at 6:30pm at The Universal Restaurant, 2911 W 38th Ave Denver. Please join us for a gathering celebrating Lorraine.
We will have beer and wine.
Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share.

Casual attire please, and bright colors in true Lorraine style.

The evening will start at 6:30 with drinks and appetizers as people gather. Around 7 there will be a short service with Pastor Doug Toller, a remembrance slide show, music by Christian Johanson and time for folks to share stories. We'll have dessert afterwards and more time to enjoy each others company. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP so we have an idea of how many. Please pass this along to anyone whose we email we may not have.
Steve, Tim and Anna