By Alexander Dworkowitz
Grace Herold, the 98-year-old co-founder of the Whitestone Community Volunteer Ambulance Service known as “Amazing Grace,” died March 9.
Born in Hell’s Kitchen in 1904, Herold moved to Whitestone with her husband, William, in the mid-1920s. In 1947, she co-founded the Whitestone Community Volunteer Ambulance Service, where she worked as a dispatcher for 24 years.
“The ambulance corps was her life,” said Barbara J. Eivers, one of Herold’s daughters.
Eivers described her mother as a busy woman, who often spent 12- hour days at the Service.
“Her nickname was ‘Amazing Grace’ because everybody was amazed that she could do so much,” said Eivers.
Herold had six children, 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and even two young great-great-grandchildren. Many of her relatives still live in Whitestone.
“She was ‘Nanna’ to half of Whitestone,” said Eivers.
Joe Papillo, publicity blood bank director for the corps, knew Herold for more than 30 years.
“She was a lovely person,” said Papillo. “She always had a smile on her face.”
The Whitestone Community Volunteer Ambulance Service, one of the first volunteer corps in New York state, dedicated its building at 12-15 150th St. to Herold.
Eivers said her mother was an avid reader, and her favorite author was Mary Higgins Clark.
But Herold’s passion other than the ambulance corps was baseball. She attended the first baseball game ever played at Yankee Stadium on April 18, 1923. Her husband took to umpiring baseball games at the old sandlot field at 149th Street and 7th Avenue, and Herold would often cheer from the stands.
While retaining her allegiance to the Yankees, Herold also became a Mets fan after the team was established in 1962.
“She was a die-hard baseball fan,” said Eivers.
Herold is survived by five of her six children: Grace Hans, Virginia Kramer, William Jr., Patricia Moloney, and Eivers.
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
