JOSETTE HERZECA's Obituary
Educator, business woman, involved citizen, Josette Dorsy Herzeca, was a French war bride. She attended law school at the Sorbonne, interested in adolescent re-education versus the punishment of the criminal code, when she met Capt. Lincoln "Link" J. Herzeca in Cannes, France in July of 1945. A Red Cross volunteer, she was a member of the French Welcome Committee. Link and Josette were married at the Madeleine Church in Paris, France on April 8, 1946. After a honeymoon in Biarritz, Lourdes and Spain, they sailed for New York City on the SS Brazil, a converted troop transport, which entered the harbor on May 19, 1946. Once in the United States, Josette founded the Dorsy Import-Export Co., based in New York City, a subsidiary of the Main Office in Paris, France. Abercrombie & Fitch, Lord & Taylor, Georg Jensen, Neiman Marcus, I. Magnin, Paine's of Boston were among her clients. She also owned and operated Josette Dorsy Boutiques at 44 E so" Street in New York City and Jobs Lane in
Southampton, New York. Link and Josette settled to a happy and busy suburban life in Babylon, Long Island (LI) where they raised their sons, Lincoln ("Linny") J., Jr. and Christian. They were neighbors and honored to be friends of Robert Moses. They owned a Triton yawl, the BALANDRA, and were members of the Babylon Yacht Club, the Great South Bay Cruising Club, and the Southward Ho Country Club. With their children and friends, they participated in numerous regattas and race weeks. Link and Josette were involved in the activities of Williston Academy and Phillips Academy, which their sons attended though she considered ballroom dancing her favorite "sport," she learned to ski for "togetherness". Her family came first. This included her mother, Vera and brother, Claude, his wife and their children. In Babylon, Josette was invited to join the faculty of the Hewlett School, East Islip, L.I. She was a delegate and member of the Middle Atlantic States Evaluation Board. In 1969, she received her M.A. from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. When there were no tour operators specializing in youth
travel, she organized several cultural tours to Europe in the 1960s and 1970s and in 1976, the first tour to the Soviet Union. "Madame" was remembered fondly by students and many children of American and foreign dignitaries who kept in touch through the years. In Babylon, Josette served as Chairwoman of the cancer drives, was President of the Babylon Jr. Auxiliary to the Southside Hospital. She served as Hospitality Public Relations Board member to the Central Council to the Good Samaritan Hospital, introduced "Pinky," the puppet, to the Pediatrics Department, organized the "candy stripers," initiated the Arts & Craft Show within the Good Samaritan Hospital and served on fund raising events. A member of the Catholic Daughters of America and of the St. Joseph Parish, she was co-chairperson and fundraiser to build and maintain the "Madonna Room", a recreational "hang-out" for adolescents. In Miami, in the early 1980s, she planned the foreign language department for the Trinity Episcopal School (now known as Palmer Trinity). In conjunction with a parents/faculty fund raising, with the help of her students and the art department, she compiled and wrote a "Cuisine Bourgeoisie" cookbook relating to geography, climate, food and culture of several provinces of France. A member of the "New Neighbors of South Dade" she served in several positions. She and Link enjoyed the friendships developed within the Gourmet Club and the Dinner Club members at their Pinecrest home and later at Villa Souleiado in Coral Gables. She belonged to the Coral Gables Music Club and was a Patron of the Museum of Science. She also served as President of the West Miami Garden Club. Her love of gardening led her to join as a charter member of the Pinecrest Garden Club. When she was on the board of the Coral Gables Garden Club, she was happy to promote youth gardening and a healthy and safe environment. She also participated in functions of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (District XII). She grew organically her favorite
"Herbes de Provence". Friends and charitable organizations enjoyed her gift baskets of herbal vinegars. A member of the Board of the Metropolitan Miami Flower Show, she searched to develop camaraderie and understanding within the multi-ethnic groups in Miami-Dade County who have the same interests and love of nature. Sadly, predeceased by her family members, Deidre, Link, Claude, and Maureen, she is survived by her loved ones, Lincoln J., Jr. and Christian, their wives, Luz Angela and Lois, grandchildren Jane, Nicholas and Matthew, her nephews James and his wife Samantha, Patrick and his wife Ute, Sean and his wife Deanna, Deidre’s husband Jaime, grandnephews Drew, Christopher, Declan and grandnieces Nicole and Josie. Josette's motto was "Learning and Giving Never End."
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