Dorothy "Tomie" Dyas

I'm glad I found this Guest Book and am able to add a note. Mrs. Dyas (as I always called her) was in many respects a second mother to me for my years at The Red Barn Theatre in Saugatuck. It was an honor to have worked with both Tomie and Jimmy. Being on stage with Tomie was a lesson in focus. I spent some New Tears Eve's with Tomie & Jimmy and kids in their small cabin in Saugatuck (I don't think that was very enjoyable for them to spend the winter there) and always enjoyed talking to...

Mrs. Dyas was just the very best! I made it thru high school before I discovered the theatre -- but Tomie taught me so much. I found theatre in college and when I came back home I met her wonderful husband Jimmy and spent the next five years working with them and learning as much as I could. When it was time to move forward -- they wrote the letter of reccomendation that got me into Grad school at the University of VA in 1985. I would come home to visit and it was aways up the wooden...

Laughter, Love, and Patience! What a wonderful teacher. Our hearts go out to you and the family. We all have many memories of Ms. Dyas. She brought the best out in all of us. Diane "Class of 73"

I'd have to add my name to the long list of students who had their lives changed by Mr. Dyas. What a wonderful influence and example of passion for art and drive to excel. She was an encouragement to her students. Even a reprimand from her was understood to be for our own good (yes, I received a few). She was a delight to have as an teacher and a dear friend to have through the years as we would cross paths here in Lakeland. She was one the very bright spots of my high school years. And her...

My condolences to the family of Mrs. Dyas. I, like many others, also had the privilege to spend two years under the care, guidance, and direction of Mrs. Tomie Dyas. I was 16 when I accidentally wound up in her class. I was very shy and wasn't sure if I was cut out for Drama. After only a few days, I realized that she truly cared about each and every student and I decided to stick it out. I'm glad that I did. She had a phenomenal influence on my life, helped shape my character, and changed...

Wish to send the family of Tomie Dyas my sympathy.

Tomie a great teacher, mentor and after hearing and reading some of my classmates comments agree she has insprired many others.

As a teacher I realize that we really never know how many students lifes we touch. Hopefully she realized her impact when I gave her a copy of my teaching certificate in drama.

Your mom and grand mother helped many.

Chris Lenamon
Class of 1983
LHS

Dear Kathy and JB, Jan and I just heard about the death of your dear
mother and our precious friend Tomie. Both she and Jimmy were
always so loving and helpful to Jan and I at First United Methodist Church. We happened to watch today a musical they directed at church.
We have many, many plays to remember them by. They can never be
relpaced in their work, as well as in their friendship. We will miss
Tomie's Christmas greetings as we are now in Alabama.
We send...

Just like the others who signed this guestbook, Tomie Dyas had a huge impact on my life. I was cast in a couple of her plays, and her energy and ability to make a bunch of high school kids focus and perform was amazing. I love theatre to this day and it's also had a big impact on my life. Thank you, Tomie, for that gift. Kandace Olsen, Class of 1974

It was so much fun to be in a musical under the direction of Mrs. Dyas.
She had great patience and worked with every personality until each scene was satisfactory. Our high school years were enriched from
the luster her spring musicals provided.
Devonne Cooper Class of 1974