Lois Blumenthal

Lois Blumenthal died peacefully at home in Grand Cayman with her family by her side.

Born in Chicago, she was the first child and only daughter of Sarah Dwyer and the late William Dwyer, Sr.

Lois is survived by her husband James; daughter Janice and husband Gary; son David; brothers Daniel and wife Cindy, Timothy and wife Hilda, William Jr.; and many nieces and nephews, family and friends. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by brothers Michael and Matthew.

Lois grew up in Hagerstown and attended North Hagerstown High School. She loved the outdoors, music, reading, scuba diving and travel. As a mother, she inspired many who knew her. She was an advocate of breastfeeding and homeschooling and shunned all punishment of children, preferring to employ trust, friendship, and unconditional love to cultivate good behavior and responsibility.

She was a prolific writer and advocate for nature. She initiated the Cayman Islands Bat Conservation Program, which is the most successful in the Caribbean and acclaimed as a prototype for tropical countries. She was Secretary of the National Trust Council, founded Cayman Wildlife Rescue and Cayman Wildlife Connection, wrote numerous articles for local and international publications, developed materials for schools, spoke to adults and in classrooms, and led nature walks.

She felt strongly that the community benefits socially and economically from the preservation of ecosystems and that a closer connection to the natural world creates a more positive outlook in children and adults.

Memorial donations may be made to Bat World Sanctuary, 217 North Oak Ave., Mineral Wells, TX 76067-4946 http://batworld.org/ways-to-donate/