Dorothy "Dot" Crabb Heald

Dorothy “Dot” Crabb Heald passed away on Nov. 9, 2022 at the age of 95. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was of the Episcopal faith since birth and had an unwavering belief in God. Born on April 9, 1927 as a third generation Floridian, she was well connected to her roots and community in Yalaha. She was predeased by her father Robert Rowland Crabb and Minnie Pantley Crabb. Her stories of early days in Yalaha were passed on to family members. She recalled riding her horses with friends through beautiful woods and orange groves surrounded by freshwater springs and lakes, sometimes finding arrowheads along the lakeshore and panther tracks in the sand. One of her favorite memories was walking through her father’s field of Gladiolas along Lake Harris where Waterwood Townhomes are located today. Dorothy loved to teach her horses tricks, including rearing on command, which she called into play when an unwanted suitor mounted her horse to impress her. He no sooner sat in the saddle when he was tossed to the ground at the Yalaha General store. Even though she got into trouble, she never once regretted it. Dorothy graduated from Leesburg High School where she was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. She went on to study at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and Brenau College in GA. She also attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland where she played number one on the tennis team. During World War II, Dorothy participated in the war effort by assisting with monitoring the skies for enemy war planes from the Yalaha Watch Tower as a POW camp was housed near Leesburg. Where Dorothy excelled most was growing beautiful plants and flowers. Even though she was a Master Gardener, she was a true naturalist who needed no formal training. There were always fresh flowers in her home and a garden outside. Everything she touched turned green! She also enjoyed working at the Lake County Agriculture Extension Center for 28 years where she met many friends and growers. One of her favorite activities was to observe the Purple Martins birds that visited the birdhouses at the family home in Punkin Center. Every year the birds would arrive after a long migration from South America. Because these birds are 100% dependent on man-made structures for nesting, she made sure through the years that the birdhouses were ready and waiting for the next Purple Martin’s visit. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Dr. Lucile Heald-Oldham, her son Mark Heald, Grandson Gordon G. Oldham IV (Kristen), and Great Grandchildren, Olivia, Emerson, and Graham. As per her wishes, she will be interred in the Yalaha Historical Cemetery in a private service with close family and friends present. She will be greatly missed. In honor of this wonderful woman, please put up a Purple Martin birdhouse, plant flowers or a garden, or even ride a horse through the woods. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the National Audubon Society at https://act.audobon.org a cause that Dorothy felt strongly about.

Dorothy "Dot" Crabb Heald

April 9, 1927 - November 9, 2022