Sarah "Jackie" Wood Heath

Sarah Wood Heath,”Jackie”, age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on April 6, 2024. Jackie was born in New York City in 1941 and as a child moved to Luray with her mother and brother, Bill Wood. She attended St. Anne’s-Belfield and Centenary College. Jackie met her husband, Dr. Richard T. Heath, at an appointment at his dental office. They married on a beautiful summer day in a small chapel in Luray, Virginia in 1964. Jackie could sew, stitch, and needlepoint anything, making it look easy. She bought Stitches store on the Downtown Mall after working there as an employee in the 1980’s. After retiring from her business, she went on to work as a full time volunteer around Charlottesville while also studying to become a Master Naturalist. She was willing to pull weeds and clean up trash along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or anywhere else needed. Jackie was honored for 1,000 volunteer hours by the Blue Ridge Parkway, and worked on various committees to beautify Charlottesville. One of her favorite projects was upkeep on trails at Ivy Creek Natural Area and monitoring the bluebird houses. She loved the outdoors, especially going on hikes with friends, or walking her dogs around her neighborhood of 58 years. Volunteering at the Virginia Discovery Museum was also a highlight. She was an enthusiastic supporter of UVa baseball with season tickets, and loved to watch the Washington Nationals. Jackie planned family vacations for forty years to National Parks coast to coast, with one side trip in the 80’s to the LL Bean flagship store in Maine. Booking weeklong vacations in Bethany Beach during the summer, Jackie loved relaxing by the ocean while reading a book. She adopted numerous dogs over the years, even bringing back a dog that adopted her during a beach trip. She is survived by her daughters, Cathy Heath and Linda Heath; and grandsons, Tyler Haley and Jonathan Haley. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, in 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, Hospice of the Piedmont, or the Wildlife Center of Virginia. The family would like to thank the caring staff at The Lodge at Old Trail during her almost six years in residence. Our special thanks go to the Seasons team, as well as Hospice of the Piedmont West Team, most notably Ilona Sage, Cheryl Young and Dr. Michael Dobson.