Deborah Katz Hermann

Deborah K. Hermann of Bedford passed away August 31, 2018 at the age of 92.  A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 ^nd at 2 P.M. at Carlton-Willard Village, 100 Old Billerica Rd., Bedford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Planned Parenthood-Greater Boston Health Center.  Born and raised in Baltimore, MD; she was the daughter of the late M. Shakman and Amalie (Sonneborn) Katz.  Debbie attended Park School, which was founded, in part, by her grandfather, Siegmund B. Sonneborn.  She received her Bachelors degree from Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, NY in 1948, and continued her education at Simmons College in Boston to achieve a Masters in Social Work.  She served as an Admissions Officer at Palfrey Street School in Watertown during the mid-sixties to early seventies. For much of her life, she had a private practice as a licensed Clinical Social Worker.  For many years, she served on the board of the Window Shop in Cambridge, which provided counseling and support to new immigrants to the US. In similar vein, she interviewed potential hosts and travelers for Servas, an organization that promotes peace and cultural understanding through hosting and home stays, both nationally and internationally. As both hosts and guests, the entire family benefitted from participating in Servas.  Because of Deborah, her home in Newton was a haven for all.  Her support and mentoring created an appreciative, large extended family of friends for herself, Howard and her children.  Her zeal for travel, theater, music, family, friends and chocolate will be sorely missed.  She leaves her husband of 68 years, Dr. Howard Hermann, son Peter and daughter-in-law Tamara, daughter Kate and daughter-in-law Alisa, daughter Rachel and son-in-law Anthony, son Andrew and daughter-in-law Allison, son Eric and daughter-in-law Susan, and 12 grandchildren.