Larissa Herman

Larissa Herman, 82, of Rutherford, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026.

Born in Ternopil, Ukraine, Larissa immigrated to the United States with her family in 1951, arriving from Bremerhaven, Germany aboard the General M. B. Stewart. They settled in Newark, New Jersey, where she became a member of St. John's Ukrainian Parish and embraced the opportunities of her new home while maintaining a deep connection to her Ukrainian heritage.

Larissa graduated from Irvington–Frank H. Morrell High School, she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science and Art from Rutgers University in Newark. In December 1969, she married the love of her life, Jaroslaw Herman, and together they made their home in Rutherford, New Jersey.

A lifelong educator, Larissa dedicated her career to shaping the lives of countless students. She served for many years as both a teacher and principal at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic, New Jersey. She concluded her distinguished career at Christopher Columbus Middle School in Clifton, New Jersey, where she continued to inspire students through her commitment to education.

Larissa was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and remained actively involved in the Ukrainian community throughout her life. She found joy in art, history, antiques, and reading mystery novels, she treasured spending summers with her family at her country home in Kerhonkson, New York, where she appreciated the beauty of nature and the peaceful rhythm of country life.

Larissa was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jaroslaw Herman; her parents, Olga and Wolodymyr Bekesewycz; and her sisters, Daria and Natalia.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Natalka Doblosky and her husband, Eric, and their children, Nicholas and Sofia; and by her son, Bohdar Herman and his wife, Melissa, and their children, Kathryn and Benjamin. She also leaves behind many extended family members, friends, former students, and colleagues who will remember her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to her family, faith, heritage, and community.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Marrocco Memorial Chapel, 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey. A Parastas service will be held at 7 p.m.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Passaic, New Jersey. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Larissa's memory to the Ukrainian Museum, 222 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10003.