Woodbury Historical Society: Sad news and scholarships

HIGHLAND MILLS — Over the last few months, the Woodbury Historical Society suffered the loss of two of its most long-serving, dedicated and valued Trustees: Dona L. Weyant and Herman Galberd.
Dona WeyantDona Weyant passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at her home in Highland Mills. She was 74 years old.
An active member of the Woodbury Historical Society since 1985, Dona served for many years as both a trustee, membership coordinator and scholarship committee member.
A lifelong gardener, she could often be seen planting flowers and weeding in front of the Rushmore Woodbury Historical Society headquarters building on Route 32.
Her love of books and devotion to helping others led to a 40-year career as a library clerk with Pine Tree Elementary School in Monroe.
Long-retired from the Monroe-Woodbury School District, she was also a member of the New York State United Teachers Association.
Dona also held positions as employee, trustee and past president of the Rushmore Memorial Library in Highland Mills.
She also worked as a literacy volunteer and summer librarian at the community's one-room library (now society's headquarters), always sharing her love of reading with many local residents, especially youngsters who sought her book recommendations.
An avid animal lover, Dona shared her home with many rescue pets and supported the Warwick Valley Humane Society and the ASPCA.
Dona will be remembered by all who knew her in the Woodbury Historical Society and the Monroe-Woodbury community for her gentle kindness and selfless generosity.
Aside from her numerous contributions of time and care, she was an annual contributor to the scholarship program.
Herman GalberdHerman Galberd passed away at Teresian House in Albany on March 10, 2019.
At 91 years old, Herman was a 59-year resident of Central Valley, born Aug. 13, 1927 in the Bronx.
He was a life-long volunteer serving on the Monroe-Woodbury School Board (president), Woodbury Ambulance corps (board member) and as a trustee and treasurer of the Woodbury Historical Society.
He was also instrumental in the restoration of the historic Gomez Mill House in the Town of Newburgh, the oldest standing Jewish dwelling in North America.
Herman worked for Columbia University for 38 years in a number of scientific research and management positions, including as Manager of Administrative Services at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, from which assignment he retired in 1994.
He spearheaded the establishment of the Emergency Ambulance Service on the Morningside Campus, which today operates as the Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
A long-time member of the Knights of Pythias and the Lions Club, Herman was awarded the 2005 Lions Clubs International Foundation Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Service.
Herman had a very large circle of friends of all ages, was an avid collector and expert in many subjects, and loved dining with friends at Allan's falafel, Panera or Café Fiesta.
After the death of his wife Connie in 2008 after 60 years of marriage, Herman established the Constance Galberd Memorial Scholarship awarded each year to a Monroe-Woodbury student pursuing a career in nursing.
At the request of his family, contributions in Herman's memory may be made to Woodbury Historical Society Scholarship Fund, PO Box 30, Highland Mills, N.Y. 10930.
'Lives ... unselfishly lived'Founding WHS Trustee and long-time WHS scholarship committee chairman Bob Curtis reflected the feelings of the society’s members and the larger community at this somber time:
“While we in the Woodbury Historical Society mourn the loss of these two special people, we also celebrate both of their lives, so well and unselfishly lived.”