Phyllis Faden Herman

Phyllis Faden Herman (1941-2025)

Phyllis Faden Herman, age 83, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away on July 5, 2025, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Born on September 24, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of Isador ‘Mac’ Faden and Regina Dann Faden; sister of Howard Faden (Andrea) and Joel Faden (Vivian); beloved mother of Mindy Herman-Stahl (Andrew) and Amy Herman; and grandmother of Natalie Jean Thao Stahl.

She grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland and raised her family in Rockville, MD, and Raleigh, NC. She lived in multiple adult communities in AZ, SC, and NC (Carolina Preserve).

Phyllis married Charles (Chuck) Jason Herman in 1962. They met at a community dance. They both went to the dance with different partners, but found a lasting connection with each other. Chuck passed away unexpectedly in 2010, and Phyllis was fortunate to find love again with George Risk, a neighbor. They married in 2015. George was devoted to Phyllis and stayed by her side throughout her battle with Parkinson’s disease.

She was a vivacious, warm, and outgoing person who loved to work until she became too disabled due to Parkinson’s disease. She loved coordinating and managing organizations and helping people. She started her career as a secretary at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Rockville, MD. After moving to NC in 1979, much of her work was devoted to enhancing services at Wake Medical Center where she provided support to the Pediatric Teaching Service and Clinic. She also helped coordinate the start-up of the Wake Teen Medical Services and was a program coordinator for the Teens with Tots Program. Before moving to AZ, she handled the administrative logistics needed to establish the Wake Med Rehabilitation Hospital. Soon after retiring, she became bored and started a second career as a pharmacy technician where she took the time to learn the names and needs of regular clients at CVS Pharmacies in Phoenix, AZ; Beaufort, SC; and Cary, NC. Additionally, with her late husband, Chuck, she operated a cat sitting business in Cary NC.

Phyllis had a tender heart toward animals. She adopted many rescue cats and dogs, donated to numerous animal rescue organizations and regularly brought needed supplies to animal shelters. She was the type of person who always pulled her car over to help a turtle across the road.

She had a gift for connection. She could strike up a conversation with anyone whether in the grocery store, doctor’s office, or walking her dog. She had a great sense of humor and could find something to laugh at, no matter the circumstances. Phyllis also loved playing Mah Jong with her friends, reading, shopping for bargains with her daughters, and doing cross-word puzzles.

The family offers special thanks to Beth Levine and her therapy dog, Dash, at Levine Aging Services for their compassionate and dedicated care.