Gwen Herb – tomorrow’s gal in today’s world

Published December 7th, 2007

By Diane Feen
Special to the News

When Gwen Herb decides to do something not much stands in her way. The glam senior has an energy source that is boundless and a desire to make the world just a little bit better.

And quite often she accomplishes that goal. At the Lynn Cancer Center you might find her helping patients live up to their potential as part of the “Look Good Feel Better Program.” Other afternoons she might be prancing down the halls of Boca Rehab with her therapy dogs Annie and Mandy. And it’s all for a good cause.

“I encourage others to live a healthier life and I bring that message to the people I visit in nursing homes and senior centers – and everywhere else I can find people willing to listen. It’s about preventing problems before they arise,” said the former air force flight attendant.

And encourage she does. If she isn’t demonstrating how to wear make-up to cancer patients, she might be hauling teddy bears to nursing homes as part of the “Santa Cause I Love You Campaign” by the American Health Association. You can’t miss Herb; she’s the statuesque blond who dons the brightly colored jacket laced with dozens of teddy bears.

But it’s all done for the fun of it – and no one understands the importance of fun more than Herb. “I became a certified laughter instructor because laughter is the best medicine. It also fits perfectly into the work that I do with people.”

Invention’s Mother

And it’s the work she does with people that exemplifies the core of this tender hearted, yet determined woman. Herb was determined to make sense out of the osteopenia that she developed, and she was equally as determined not to face the physical fate of her mother, Ruth. You could say that adversity was the mother of invention for this former Washington insider.

“I retired from the real estate business after 25 years and started playing golf and tennis every day. After I found out that I had the beginnings of osteoporosis I took off 40 pounds and decided to pursue my passion of health and fitness. I also didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of my mother who had health problems.”

Like an eagle Herb soared with her passion. She studied health and fitness the way a Maserati takes to the road - inhaling the essence of good health by way of classes, seminars, retreats, books, experts (including Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer) and traveling around the world attending conventions.

Air Force

This Wisconsin native doesn’t mind hard work. At the tender age of 18 she joined the Air Force and became a flight attendant for military servicemen. Later she became a stewardess for Northwest Airlines but had to quit when she got married (stewardesses were not allowed to have Mrs. before their surnames in those days).

With her wings clipped Herb worked in the US Capital Building making travel arrangements for Congressional members (and attending some pretty impressive political ceremonies). She lived in Taiwan, St. Louis and Milwaukee before moving to Boca Raton with a barrel full of resourcefulness and a bit of trepidation. “It was a scary move. I was 36 years-old with a son and I was starting a whole new life for myself,” she said.

The new life included modeling stints at Jordan Marsh and Gucci in Palm Beach and a career in real estate. When the project she was working on folded into a pool of recessionary slush, Herb came out smelling like a rose. “I was working at the Pelican Harbor and this lawyer came in and told us we couldn’t sell the homes we were selling. I lost 15 sales commissions, but I gained a husband.”

Like everything else in her life, Herb doesn’t mince words when it comes to the truth. “I was 42-years-old when I met my husband and he was 29. He likes to tell people that I’m not sure whether I got a good deal. He was right, I didn’t get a good deal – I got the deal of a lifetime!” she says in her book, “A Healthier You!”

About Prevention

Herb’s lawyer husband Jim continues to be her best friend, provocateur and laughing partner. She not only stands by her man but she goes to bat for causes that rock their world. “My husband had a colon cancer scare and I often talk about how important it is to get a colonoscopy. It’s all about prevention – you must get a mammogram and a colonoscopy.”

When not talking about preventing disease, Herb can be found lecturing on living life to the max. But she’s careful not to misrepresent herself. “While I have no advanced degree from a university, I believe I have earned a doctorate in life experience from the college of hard knocks in health. I have 69 years of experience in the art of growing older. I plan to live to be 100 - and I plan to enjoy those final years.”

And like everything else in Herb’s life, it is easy to imagine this health renegade and fulfillment cheerleader achieving her goal. While not missing a beat on her path, Herb has a new book coming out, “Looking Good and Feeling Great At Any Age,” a laughter program starting at the FAU Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center and a chipper 97-year-old father to visit (she goes twice daily).