She has been described as a ‘warm and caring’ woman who was a ‘true animal lover’
The alarm was raised at 2pm on Saturday after Ms Herbst got into difficulty, having entered the sea at Magherabeg Beach while attempting to save her family dog from the choppy waters.
Greystones and Wicklow Coast Guard units were tasked to the scene, along with the Dublin-based Coast Guard helicopter R116. A body was recovered from the water at around 4pm and a second person was also rescued from the water and taken to hospital.
The well-known local figure was in her 80s and had 10 grandchildren from her own five children, Marco, Siobhan, Fiona, Juliet and Orson.
Her husband Michael operates Kilpoole Hill Farm, on the outskirts of Wicklow town, starting with sheep in the 1960s, before expanding and moving on to cattle and tillage, after purchasing more land.
He started making potato diggers and invented a turf cutting machine that sold worldwide, and which proved especially useful in wet land countries like Indonesia. He also got involved with computer software in the 1970s, as the result of the need for a special programme to deal with grain accounts.
Michael established Polo Wicklow in 1993, with the dream of having a location in Ireland whereby you could play polo for 12 months of the year. Polo Wicklow became Ireland’s only all-year round polo facility, and is managed by his and Wendy’s daughter, Siobhan Herbst, while Wendy worked away in the background.
Polo Wicklow celebrated their 30th anniversary in May of 2023 with a full weekend of events, including a black-tie ball and a polo clash between Ireland and the USA.
For many years Wendy organised a 5k sea swim in Wicklow town, which acted as a fundraiser for Wicklow RNLI.
She was also a director of Herbst Software, a leading business management software provider, offering a specialised fully integrated solution for SMEs, and designed from a sales and management perspective.
Wendy’s funeral arrangements have yet to be announced, and the family have requested that any desired donations should be made to Wicklow RNLI.
With her equestrian connections, the Bray Harriers drag hunt were quick to pay tribute to the “true animal lover”.
“Wendy was a true animal lover and a fantastic supporter of all things equestrian,” they said.
“She provided a very warm reception to the hunt on many occasions both in terms of hunting over the land, refreshments in the club house afterwards, as well as hosting many social events. Her energy and enthusiasm, her hard working nature and her love of animals and her family have left an indelible mark on all those who had the privilege to interact with Wendy.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace.”
Ms Herbst’s death notice on rip.ie has also been flooded with condolences as friends and associates paid their tributes. One message stated: “She was a wonderful warm and caring lady who was a privilege to know. We have so many wonderful memories of great times spent in her company.”
Another moving tribute said: “I spent many, many years in the delightful company of Wendy who was so welcoming into the warm home of the Herbst family for so many polo weekends. So many wonderful memories and experiences with the First Lady of Herbst farm! She will be profoundly missed! Our sincere sympathies to the family at this tragic time!”
Another condolence message reads: “She was a wonderful warm and caring lady who was a privilege to know. We have so many wonderful memories of great times spent in her company. She was always very kind.”