On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 our beautiful daughter, Autumn Elaine Hermany lost her brave battle against heroin addiction. She was 22 years old. Autumn was nearing her 6th month of sobriety, but her disease never rested. The disease of addiction knows no mercy – and does discriminate. Please do not think it could never happen to you.

Growing up, Autumn was full of light and life, always smiling, laughing and making others laugh. She enjoyed swimming, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and tennis. Her battle with depression began in the teenage years. She graduated high school and went on to college to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a marine biologist. She wanted so much to study and work with the great whites. She loved the ocean and every creature it contained.

Unfortunately, during her college years, she was introduced to Percocet, which later became heroin. She began a 2-1/2 year long battle trying to free herself from the hold. During her recovery process, despite several relapses, she fought for her life and never gave up. Those years saw her through five stays in rehabs and countless sober-living homes. She touched so many lives during that time, always worried about everyone else. She wanted to save the world, but forgot to save herself first.

Autumn was especially proud of her family and loved them dearly. Surrounded by six siblings, each vying for her time and attention. She was present for the birth of her newest sibling and even chose her middle name, "Ocean". She also had two nephews, Ben and Charlie , whom she adored.

Autumn will forever be our first baby, with sunshine and energy in her soul like no one else we will ever know. We pray that she has finally found her peace, and has found her eternity swimming in a beautiful sea.

Autumn is survived by her loving parents, Heidi (Zimmerman) Hermany and Christopher Hermany, Jean and Leroy Zimmerman (maternal grandparents), Matt Zimmerman, uncle; and siblings: Noah, Magnolia, Ella, Brecken, Acadia, and Tallulah "Ocean" Hermany.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:30 in St, Paul's Lutheran Church, 50 Luther Drive, Mertztown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Autumn's memory to: Brandywine Heights Community Task Force, 200 W. Weis Street, Topton, PA  19562.