Edna J. Herbert

Waltham – Edna Josephine (Muldoon) Herbert lived for 96 years within two miles of where she was born in Waltham. Her mother died when she was only four years of age. She left school at age of 14 to take care of her blind and diabetic father. As a young woman, she worked at the Waltham Watch Factory making speedometers, and, during World War II, at Raytheon as a spot-welder.

She loved her siblings and their children greatly. Edna and her husband, Edmund had their own child, also Edmund, in 1956 after 8 years of marriage. For many years, she worked mother's hours in a book bindery. When her husband, a Waltham firefighter, suffered brain damage after a massive heart attack, Edna spent 10 difficult years caring for him until he passed.

Her son and his wife, Chris Petherick, enjoyed many happy times with Edna, particularly when dining at the Chateau in Waltham. Her grandson Casey Carroll, his sister Stephanie Carroll Grant, and her baby, Ryan Skyler, brought Edna great joy in her later years.

Her bright blue eyes twinkled when she laughed and she constantly charmed even strangers with her great smile. Edna went on to her greater reward on Friday July 7, 2017 but will be missed by many as a selfless and loving woman.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, George and Leo Muldoon and Mary Geary Noble.

Family and friends will honor and remember Edna's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, July 11th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776 or to the Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118.