Rebecca Burgess Herlihy

Rebecca B. Herlihy passed away in her home in Amherst village on April 3, 2012. She was 68 years old. Rebecca was surrounded by her family and friends, who were instrumental in her courageous battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband David H. Herlihy and her son and daughter-in-law, Graham W. Hankey and Alison J. Hankey. Rebecca was born in 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended Southern Seminary Junior College in Virginia and majored in Art, specializing in watercolor. She graduated with high honors and pursued further study of watercolor over the years. Over this time, she became enchanted with a New England artist named Tasha Tudor who was noted for her unique technique and historical New England topics. Rebecca married Robert I. Hankey in 1964 and lived outside of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1967, she gave birth to her son Graham Hankey. She enjoyed motherhood greatly and spent the majority of her time raising her son, exposing him to the outdoors, arts and crafts, and animals. Over these years, Rebecca was a member of the Baltimore Museum of Art and she continued her artistic pursuits. In 1973, Rebecca and Graham moved to Amherst, New Hampshire. She met David H. Herlihy and they were married in 1974. This began a thirty-eight year relationship that became the foundation of her life. Over this time, Rebecca and David continued to raise Graham, built and lived in several houses in Amherst and Mont Vernon, collected art and antiques, worked a variety of jobs, and enjoyed a rewarding life focused on family and friends. Rebecca’s first passion was caring for her family. She supported her husband David, a former Amherst fire department chief and a long-term employee of the town of Amherst. She also was a primary influence in raising her son Graham and remained supportive when he left Amherst to complete undergraduate and graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and a law degree at Duke University. Rebecca also found time to pursue her artistic interests and became a juried member of the Sharon Arts Center. She received numerous acknowledgements of her talent over this time, and was chosen to hand-draw and watercolor designs on donor certificates for the National Herb Garden in Washington DC. In 1975, Rebecca opened her own store called the “Country House” at her residence on Old Manchester Road. She provided naturally dried flowers and herbs, crafts and art to the public and to other stores in the area. Rebecca’s love of art finally brought her into direct contact with the artist Tasha Tudor. The resultant friendship was deeply rewarding and led directly to one of Rebecca’s other great passions-Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs. Known as “faerie steeds” in old Welsh legend, corgis are unique and highly personable dogs that soon became an integral part of the Herlihy family. Raising and showing Pembroke Welsh corgis became a major part of Rebecca’s life. She became a member of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America and the Welsh Corgi League in England. She attended U.S. and international dog shows and enjoyed great success in the show ring. Over the years, she produced several national champions, a best puppy in the United States, and a best-in-breed at the Westminster Dog Show. Rebecca also engaged in public service and outreach. In her time in Amherst, she was a member and served on the boards of the Amherst Junior Women’s Club, the Amherst Nipmugs, the Amherst PTA, the Amherst Historical Society and the Amherst Garden Club. She also participated in town government, serving on the Amherst Ways and Means Commission and the Open Space Advisory Committee. Burial services will be private for the family. Following the burial, a celebration of Rebecca’s life will be held at Graham and Alison Hankey’s home at 5 Wilkins Road in Amherst from 12-2pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St Joseph’s Home and Hospice Care, 24 North River Road, Milford, NH 03055.