Louise Held Obituary

Held, Louise "Dee" K. age 88, of Fort Lauderdale, and St. Augustine, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on May 17th 2008, in St. Augustine, Florida. Dee was born in Chicago, Illinois graduating from Trinity High School and attended Rosary College. She moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1966, where along with her husband Bob, raised their eight children. Dee was a wonderful, caring and loving mother whose kindness and generosity surrounded her throughout her life. Her charitable endeavors included, Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami where she was a lifetime member of the DRI Rose Society, and honorary chairman of the Love and Hope Ball. Dee and Bob endowed the First Chair for research for the DRI and were actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County; Holy Cross Women's Auxiliary and Sea Ranch Lakes Women's Club. Dee was a devout Catholic and a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ft. Lauderdale, and co-founder of Bodee Development Corp. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob of 65 years. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 24th, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2008, in the Kraeer Funeral Home, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Diabetes Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1450 NW 10th Ave, Miami, Florida, 33136. Dee is survived by, four daughters, Judith L. (the late John C.) Stamm of River Forest, IL, Mary L. (William) Pace of Sea Ranch Lakes, FL, Maureen L. Martin of St. Augustine, Kathryn L. (William) Sanchez of Wesley Chapel. FL; four sons, Robert T (Mary Lou) Held, Jr. of Coral Springs, FL, Michael J. (Susan) Held of Ft. Lauderdale, Thomas S. Held of Pompano Beach, FL, Stephen M. (Lori) Held of Elkton, FL; one brother, Rev Fr. Francis Robert Crowe O. P., Chicago, IL; 30 grandchildren 18, great- grandchildren; best friend and caregiver, Mae Whitfield. Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of the local arrangements.