Erna Elizabeth Herbert, at 86 years, passed away on December 28, 2019 in Ashburn. Virginia, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland. She passed peacefully in her sleep, and is home with our Lord.

She was a devoted, loving wife to Charles Herbert who predeceased her.  A devoted, loving sister to Mary Rudolph who predeceased her.  Survived by children to who she was a wonderful, selfless, loving mother and grandma:  sons Ken of Chantilly, Virginia, and his wife, Jean McCaw; and Mark of Irving, Texas and his wife, Najat Herbert.  Her grandchildren and step grandchildren, Reanna Herbert Noor and husband Pejmon Noor, Kathryn Herbert, Mohamed Herbert, Ayman Herbert, Halema Herbert, Alexander Bishop, Lukas Bishop, and Graham Bishop.

Erna was born on September 19, 1933 to Harry Rudolph and Mary Svec Rudolph in Baltimore, Maryland.  After graduating from Clara Barton Vocational High School, Erna began a career as a legal secretary at the law firm of Sidney Blum in downtown Baltimore.  On April 23, 1955 she was joined in marriage to Charles Herbert.  They shared 53 years celebrating life together until Charles's passing on May 4, 2008.

Through her life, Erna embraced her family, church, travel, Christmas, and volunteering.  She was instrumental in making and collecting casseroles for the homeless of Baltimore to be driven to the Beans and Bread center.  She would go all out with Christmas cookies and decoration along with the Christmas week family party on Saturdays.  At our home church, St. Thomas More in Baltimore she loved singing in the choir, involvement with Sodality and even president of Sodality for a short while.  She was Vice President of our local home association.  She traveled quite a bit each year to the West Coast, Rocky Mountains, and many cruises with Dad.  These were all very important to her, but the true joy was spending time with her boys and their families.  She had the biggest smile when she saw and spent time with her grandchildren.  She always remembered everyone's birthday and anniversary and would send a card with a gift.  She was a cheerful giver to all, a humble person to all she met, and a wonderful, loving caregiver to her husband, sons, and their families.  She will be deeply missed.

To honor Erna, a service will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 11:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 21371 St. Theresa Lane, Ashburn, VA.  Celebration of her Life to follow at our place at 24890 Castleton Drive, Chantilly, VA  20152.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Erna's name would be most appreciated to the Beans & Bread, 402 S Bond St, Baltimore, MD 21231.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Loudoun County Volunteer Emergency Medical, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, and Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg for their loving care and support of our mother.