NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The life of a beloved local icon in Nassau County is being celebrated as the community mourns her passing.
Dee Dee Bartels died at age 102 after decades of community advocacy and contribution to the lives of Nassau County residents.
Sheriff Bill Leeper shared a post on Facebook, calling Bartels “a cherished community advocate.”
Bartels, whose legacy spans from maritime leadership to artistic pursuits, was remembered by community members for her multifaceted contributions as a shrimp boat captain, painter, poet, and steadfast advocate for local preservation.
“There aren’t many people like her,” said Andrea Lee, a friend and fellow artist who met Bartels in 2017. Lee, who painted Bartels’ portrait as part of a series featuring fearless local women, credits her as the inspiration for the entire project.
Bartels’ impact on Fernandina Beach extended beyond her artistic endeavors. She played a crucial role in researching Old Town’s history and protecting downtown’s architectural heritage. Her name lives on through various community landmarks, including a boat ramp that bears her name.
Leeper, who grew up knowing Bartels and her family, acknowledged her significant community influence.
“She had a very big impact in this community,” Leeper said.
Known for her optimistic spirit and love of poetry, Bartels had expressed her wish to live to 103 in one of her poems.
“I plan to live to be 103, I think that’s a lovely age to be,” she wrote, coming just one year short of her poetic goal.
Lea Gallardo, a friend of 20 years, remembered Bartels as “always upbeat” and particularly passionate about poetry.
A funeral service was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, where friends and family gathered to pay their respects to the woman who helped establish one of the area’s most popular events, the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Fernandina Beach, but her contributions to the community’s cultural and historical preservation will continue to influence future generations.
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