Rebecca D. Hersha

Rebecca Dianne Hersha, beloved daughter, sister, and friend, died peacefully on June 26, 2018 after a long and courageous struggle for her health. She was 43.

A 1992 Lakeview High School graduate, Rebecca attended Kellogg Community College, University of Michigan, and Evergreen State College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences in 1999. After living for many years in the Olympia, Washington area, she returned to Battle Creek in 2017 to be closer to family.

Rebecca always felt a strong connection to nature and devoted much of her personal and professional life to its protection, most recently as an environmental planner. A joyful lover of animals, Rebecca showered affection on her pets but also devoted her time to helping others, for example as a volunteer at the Calhoun County Humane Society.

Rebecca's generous heart also expressed itself artistically in a variety of media. She was known by the community as the lead docent at the Battle Creek Community Foundation's gallery, where she could be found knitting and discussing art and history. Her friends and family were frequent beneficiaries of her thoughtful, personally made gifts. Even as she struggled with the debilitating pain and exhaustion brought on by her chronic illness, Rebecca's creativity and sense of humor always found a way to shine through.

Rebecca will be dearly missed by those who had the great privilege to know her.

Personal messages to the family it may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.