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Dorothy Dyas Obituary
"TOMIE" DYAS, 88
LAKELAND - Dorothy "Tomie" Dyas, 88, of Lakeland died February 6, 2010 of cancer.
She had a long and productive life. Born in 1921 in Cedar Grove, W.VA, she graduated from Ohio University and moved to New York City and Saugatuck, MI. She was an actress, author, scene director, producer and director. She moved to Lakeland in 1970 and became head of the Drama Dept. at Lakeland High School, directing many plays and musicals for 20 years.
She was married for over 50 years to James Dyas who predeceased her. Beloved mother of Kathy of NYC and JB of Los Angeles; cherished Grannie to Derek of Washington, D.C., Dear friend, mentor, and teacher to many.
A memorial service will be held on Friday February 12, 2010 at 11 A.M. at The Estates at Carpenters 1001 Carpenters Way Lakeland.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
heathfuneralchapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Dyas
John Schneiter
December 27, 2010
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 Tomie. I have many, many fond memories of her on stage in many rolls. I think my clearest memory was of her as Linda in Death of a Salesman with Bruce Hall in ( I think) 1969. She has enriched the lives of many and we were lucky and privileged to have known her.
Ayun Fedorcha
April 22, 2010
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 staircase to waffles and story telling time. Now I am a real lighting designer -- with hundreds of shows on my resume -- and I live in our nation's capital. I have my Union card and a bunch of wonderful memories. Tomie believed in me before I did -- and she shared her deepest loves with me, Jimmy, the theatre and stories of her kids and grandkids! I was so lucky to have her for 30 years. It doesn't seem possible that cancer could have taken her away from her swims in the pool, her friends, her family. and her theatres. [email protected]
Diane Horn
February 19, 2010
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"
Richard Joyce
February 18, 2010
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 influence has lasted well beyond those years. It is reflected in my involvement in the arts and in how I treat my students today. Richard "Ricky" Joyce - LHS class of 1973
Michelle Anderson
February 17, 2010
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 the way I viewed the world around me. I often gave her and Jimmy rides when the weather or distance kept them off their bikes. In later years I often ran into her at the public library or around town. I even had the pleasure of working w/her again at Pied Piper Players where she was a guest director. Just saw her again in Walmart about a year ago and we spoke for a minute. She often spoke of her children and how proud she was of them. She was truly a unique and magnificient lady and will be greatly missed! Sincerely yours, Michelle Anderson (Smith) LHS c/o 1987
Chris Lenamon
February 14, 2010
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
Dan 'n Jan Hermany
February 12, 2010
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 our love and prayers.
Sincerely - Dan 'n Jan Hermany
[email protected]
Kandace Olsen
February 12, 2010
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
February 11, 2010
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
February 11, 2010
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
February 11, 2010
As a Faculty member at Lakeland High School during the time that Tomi Dyas was "director of plays and musicals", I was always impressed by her outstanding ability to produce high quality dramatic stage presentations. Three of my children were fortunate to be involved in her plays and we are grateful for her guidance. On her last day at school, after she had announced her retirement, I waved to her on the campus, and we stopped to speak. What I had intended to be a fond farewell became an emotional encounter for me as I tried to say, "I will miss you."
I still will!
Barbara Milligan
February 10, 2010
Dearest Tomie, you were such an inspiration to me. I may not have gone into acting, but you helped me build my character and had an influence on the person I have become today. I was a confused teenager, but you saw through it and understood me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Tracy Towle Dees
Brenda Gardner-Relefourd
February 10, 2010
Mrs. Dyas as a teacher was refreshing, and exciting. I am thankful I had the opportunity to be a part of this great treasure at LHS- Class of 78
Bonnie Haberman
February 10, 2010
A truly great teacher inspires, challenges, and loves her students. Tomie was a blessing to all of us whose lives she touched. Her passion, her smile, her wisdom, and her example of living your life to its fullest potential are gifts she gave that I have carried with me always. Bless you Tomie, bless your family, and give Jimmy a hug for me. Bonnie Haberman LHS Class of 1989
Sheri Cook - Richardson
February 9, 2010
Just wanted to share my condolences. Tomie had a big impact on my life. I loved her drama class, and I adored her as a person. She gave me the lead in my senior play, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I'd never had a role in the theatre before, but she took a chance on me. Now, I make a full-time living as an actress. What a wonderful lady. She'll be missed.
Don Johnson
February 9, 2010
What a fantastic lady. Always full of life, intelligence and fun. She touched lives and hearts. Don Johnson, Lakeland, fl
Meradith McGee-Hale
February 9, 2010
I loved working on the plays with Mrs. Dyas and being part of her drama program. Her influence remains with me to this day.
She was truly unique, inspiring and REAL. She will be greatly missed - the world's stage is darker without her presence.
Lee Ann Bertram
February 9, 2010
Tomie Dyas had such an impact on my life..and I doubt she ever really knew it. To this day, theatre is still big in my life because of her. I can speak in front of a crowd without fear, and i owe so much to this wonderful, talented lady that there isn't room to list them all. I will never forget her, and I know many who feel that way too. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family. But, I smile every time I think of her. What a good life! Lee Ann Oxford Bertram class of 1978
Dale Milligan Padgett
February 9, 2010
Mrs. Dyas....
"To thine own self be true." and she was....riding her bike around town, chiding me for being five minutes late to rehearsal, giving me the greatest gift a teacher could impart: confidence that I could accomplish the task assigned, and that smile once it had been accomplished. She could go from dead-pan to the hugest grin across her face....and I cherish the memories of her class and her direction of the plays and her always being true to herself. May we all be as true.
Dale Milligan Padgett, class of '77
Allen Cleveland
February 9, 2010
I worked with Tomie at Lakeland High School, and I always enjoyed her announcement, "This is Tomie Dyas, director of your plays and musicals." She was a great talent and a friend--and an encouragement to thousands of young people who now love the theater. I will miss her.
Monica Hallier
February 9, 2010
She was an amazing person and an inspiration to so many of us past students. I have always cherished my time with her, under her direction, enjoying the opportunity to perform and enjoying high school. My thoughts and prayers for her family that she loved very much. Monica Gregor Hallier, LHS class of 1984
Susan Schwab
February 9, 2010
I count myself blessed to have had Mrs Dyas as a teacher. She was an inspiration not only to the kids in her drama class but her productions also. She will be greatly missed. God Bless you all and my prayers will be with you during your time of loss.
Susan (Hogge) Schwab, class of 1980
Tricia Watson
February 9, 2010
To this day I still nurture the seeds Tomie Dyas sowed in me back in high school. She was an amazing teacher and inspired in me a love of drama that will never fade. I also had the privilege of meeting her again, 20 years later. She was a unique and wonderful woman who lived life her own way, on her own terms, and as such, she never stopped teaching. God bless her and my sympathies to her family for their loss. She was very proud of all of you and said so often.
Tony Murphy
February 9, 2010
Tomie Dyas motivated and coached many students. With her love for literature and excitement for the theatre she unfolded many of life's lessons in the classroom as well as the stage. She will be missed. I will remember her always with great fondness. May God be with you as you walk through this journey called life.
Ann Moore
February 9, 2010
What a special teacher Mrs. Dyas was. I was fortunate enough to be one of her students and in many of her productions at LHS. I'll always cherish many fond memories of her. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. - Ann Floyd Moore, LHS Class of 1976
February 9, 2010
Mrs. Dyas' drama class and working with her on the high school plays is a great high school memory for me.
Blake Viele, Class of '77
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