By Allen Howard
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MILFORD - Mary Herrmann was an ideal role model because she believed there was good in everybody.

Mrs. Herrmann, an administrator at Maple Knoll Village Retirement Community in Springdale, died Saturday at her granddaughter's home in Columbus after a long illness.

She was 72.

"She was absolutely a fabulous person," said her granddaughter, Jennifer Lang, a senior at Ohio State University's School of Veterinary Medicine.

"I am thankful that I had her as a role model because she believed in education and she also believed that everybody had some good in them."

Mrs. Herrmann is credited with holding the residents and the board of directors together when the Widows and Old Men's Home in Walnut Hills moved to Springdale and became Maple Knoll Village Retirement Community.

"I don't think the smooth transition could have taken place without her," said Dee Smart, director of public relations at Maple Knoll.

"She used to talk about how when the old people arrived at the new facility, they all got off the bus and walked inside. Nobody had to be carried."

Mrs. Herrmann was an active member of the United Commercial Travelers of America, St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Rosary Altar Society at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

She was a Girl Scout leader, a cook at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School and active in fund-raising for the Milford Life Squad.

Mrs. Herrmann received her master's degree in hospital administration from Xavier University in 1985.

Other survivors include a daughter, Patricia Lang, Orlando, Fla; two sisters, Charlotte Scharf of Mount Victory, Ohio, and Rita Zerhusen of Edgewood; a brother, Frank Huiet of Hillsboro, Ohio; step-grandchildren; and step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. today at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 6890 Buckwheat Road, Mount Repose. There is no visitation.

Memorials: Maple Knoll Benevolent Fund, 11100 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

E-mail ahoward@enquirer.com.