Herta Marie Louisa (Semff) Arata

Mrs. Herta M. (Semff) Arata, 98, of Milford MA died Wednesday (October 11, 20923) at the Milford Regional Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Francesco “Frank” Arata who died in 2007. 

Herta was born in Eschwege, Germany the daughter of the late Erich B. Semff and the late Rosa A. (Eckhardt) Semff. She attended public schools in Germany as a young girl.

Herta participated in the opening & closing ceremonies at the 1936 Olympics held in Germany as a member of a gymnastics & dance group.

As a young woman she was employed at a government research facility until she met her late husband, Francesco, during the war and became a war bride.

Herta came to the United States in 1947 and first resided in Milford MA. She then briefly resided with her husband in Buffalo NY. In 1952 she returned to reside in Hopedale MA and then Milford MA.

Herta was first employed at the former Kartiganer Hat Shop and then worked at GE Telechron in Ashland MA. She later was employed in the inaugural “emergency room” at Milford Hospital and eventually transferred to the Milford Hospital pharmacy.

Herta is survived by her 2 daughters: Gloria J. Fitzgerald of Uxbridge MA and Lisa J. Vitalini and her husband William Vitalini of Mendon MA; her 6 grandchildren: Robert Gilbertson and his wife Kim of Millville MA, Daniel Gilbertson and his wife Kristin of Sturbridge MA, Jason Fitzgerald of Milford MA, Dr. Jamie Fitzgerald Boehm and her husband Fred Boehm of Uxbridge MA, Benjamin Vitalini and his wife Marie of Franklin MA & Laura Vitalini and her husband Atty. John McMahon of Hopedale MA; her 7 great grandchildren: Reid Gilbertson, Erin Gilbertson, Lucas Boehm, Dylan Boehm, Logan McMahon, Cameron McMahon & Mia Vitalini; also several nieces & nephews.

Herta was the mother of the late Linda Gilbertson, who died in 2020.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday (October 14th) at 11am at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA. A visiting hour will be held Saturday morning (October 14th) from 10am to 11am, prior to her Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Bay Path Humane Society of Hopkinton, 500 Legacy Farms North, Hopkinton MA 01748 (www.baypathhumane.org)        or to     The Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry, P O Box #122, Milford MA 01757.

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