Thelma Heath

Thelma Heath ,103, of Naples, died April 2, 2016. She had
been a Collier County teacher since 1936.  Born in Reynoldsville
Pa. January 22, 1913, moved to Florida in 1925 with her
parents Robert and Minnie Brocious.   When her husband
Frank accepted a position as a teacher they moved with
their son Frankie to Everglades City in 1935.  Thelma became
a good friend of Deaconess Bedell teaching Sunday School
with her and helping with her unique position with the Seminole
Indians.  In 1936 Frank was given the principals position
at Collier City and Thelma a teaching position for third and
forth grades.

During World War ll she helped form the local American
Red Cross and taught her fourth-grade girl students and
most of the older girls in school how to knit.  Knitting hundreds
of sweaters for the troops and veterans hospitals.

In 1949 Frank became principal of Naples elementary and
Thelma taught third and fourth grades and  served as the
school nurse.   She developed the first three elementary school
libraries in Naples. She helped to start Scouting in Naples with  
Brownies, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops.  She was very
active in Methodist Church singing in the choir and attending  
Dyches Storter Circle and always planning extra activities for
the  youth. There wasn't any project she couldn't do once she
made up her mind.   For example, one day she saw a dress in
a store window made a pencil sketch went home and made
herself one and one for a needy  student.  She developed
many reading programs teaching students her love of reading.

In 2008 Thelma entered assistant living care at Clearwater
Florida to be close to her family.  Her last few months she
received loving care and support from Sun Coast Hospice,
Tampa, FL.

She is survived by her only son Frank and wife Sally;
two granddaughters Heather Heath MD, and husband David
Wall, Holly Heath teacher at Darton State College and
husband Benjamin Anderson;  five grandchildren, Jennifer
Wall MD, Brian Wall RN,  Sarah Wall (starts medical school
fall 2016), Daniel Anderson 6th grade, and Robert Anderson
4th grade; sisters Theoma Deml and Shirlea Brown; and
brother Burnell Brocious.  She is predeceased by husband
Frank Heath Sr., brother Lloyd and sisters Fae and Lois.  

Interment will be close to their summer home in  family
plot next to her husband Frank Sr. At Davisville Cemetery,
Warner, N.H.  A celebration of  Thelma's  life will be
Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 PM at First United Methodist
Church.   In lieu of flowers donations can be made to
the Thelma B. Heath Memorial United First Methodist Church
388 1st Ave. S. Naples, FL 34102 or Sun Coast Hospice,
Tampa, FL.

You could always see God in the way  Thelma  lived
her life.  

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