Dorothy Wilcox Poole

Dorothy Willcox Poole, 85 of Winter Springs, FL passed away on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. She is survived by her three children and their spouses along with her two grandchildren, Lexi and Dallas. Dottie was born in Jacksonville, FL on August 03, 1940 and is a second-generation Florida native. After graduating from Robert E Lee High School, she attended the University of Florida where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1962. While at the university, she met her beloved husband Bob Poole, her college sweetheart and they married later that same year on December 29th 1962. Following college, the two moved to Ft Polk, LA so Bob could fulfill his ROTC obligation the next two years. They started their family with the birth of their daughter Erin in 1963. Next, they relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, where she earned her Master’s degree in Education from Mississippi College. They then moved to Mobile, Alabama for one year where their son Stephen was born in 1968. They finally landed back in the Sunshine State in Central Florida in 1969 and never left. Their youngest, Ashlee was born in 1970 and this completed their family. Dottie went on to a prolific career in Education that spanned 30+ years. In that time, she earned Teacher of the Year at both Sterling Park Elementary AND Tuskawilla Middle School inspiring students to value the power of knowledge. During her tenure, she started the volunteer program in Seminole County that she named The Dividends for parents to help in the classrooms. The program is still running today. Active in the local community, she and Bob were Presidents of the Associate Board of the former Florida Symphony Orchestra. She was President of the local chapter of The Florida House multiple terms, served on the PTA while her kids were in school, was active in the local KD Alumnae Association, served on the Central Florida Gator Club Scholarship Committee and was a member of the Women’s Circle at First Presbyterian Church in Maitland. Her hobbies included family boat trips on the Mer-Er-Lee, gardening, traveling, playing bridge, doing crosswords and stimulating conversation shared over a glass of fine wine. After retiring in 2005, she continued her love for teaching by participating as an ADDition in daughter Erin’s 1st grade classroom at Dommerich Elementary School. She was beloved by all the students who called her Grammy. Sharing her love for the Gators with her husband, two daughters and both grandchildren, Dottie helped create many happy memories during tailgating in Gainesville and out-of-town games. She was instrumental in acquiring the timeshare for the annual family vacation destination in their beloved Captiva Island that continues to this day. She and Bob were privileged to travel to many notable and beautiful destinations around the world together and with friends. Dottie will be remembered as a loving wife, mom and “Grammy” and a kind friend to all she knew. A highly respected educator who always had a smile on her face though even with her busy life of many activities, her first priority always remained her family and they knew it. A memorial service for Dottie will be held Saturday, March 7th at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Maitland, 341 N Orlando Avenue, Maitland 32751. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the local chapter of The Florida House in Dottie’s name. Please make checks payable to Florida House and mail them to Central Florida Council @ 2828 Ashton Terrace, Oviedo, FL 32765.

Dorothy Wilcox Poole

August 3, 1940 - February 17, 2026