Dot Wood Memorial
I dedicate this blog post to the memory of Dorothy “Dot” Leach Wood.
Dot Wood’s recent passing at the age of 87 has left a profound void. Although we hadn’t spoken recently, the news hit me hard, filling me with a sense of disbelief. Logically, I know that no one is immortal, but Dot’s indomitable spirit made it feel as though she might somehow transcend even that.
If you’d like to learn more about her remarkable life and legacy, I highly recommend Sandra Pennecke’s poignant piece in the Virginian Pilot. The article beautifully captures Dot’s trailblazing contributions to our community. I am quoted in the piece, but there’s so much more to her story than could be covered. Her impact extended beyond her incredible fundraising efforts to help build the Sandler Center and establish the Sandler Center Foundation—it was deeply personal for so many, including me. I’m certain others will share their own reflections in the weeks and months to come.
Dot and I first crossed paths shortly after I moved to Virginia Beach in 2015. Having relocated from San Diego (and before that, Philadelphia), I was navigating the challenges of a new job, home, and an unfamiliar community. We met at a reception in the Wood Room—not “her” room, as many mistakenly think—before a performance on the Sandler Center stage.
Dot was one of those extraordinary individuals whose presence was felt the moment she entered a room, and that evening was no exception. I remember complimenting her on the funky frames of her glasses, which led to her immediately introducing me to her family. She followed this with an invitation to coffee a few days later, a meeting that continues to resonate in my life and work to this day.
Dot taught me lessons that most leaders overlook. They weren’t the neatly packaged platitudes you might see on a motivational poster but real, practical tools for surviving and thriving as a chief executive in a new place.
Some of her pearls of wisdom:
- “Your Board is made up of some of the most influential and well-meaning people in Virginia Beach. They will walk through a proverbial fire for you, but your job is to lead them. Don’t ever let them intimidate you. You’re just as smart and committed as they are.”
- “You are going to make decisions that will make you extremely unpopular at times. People will say things about you that aren’t true or misunderstand your motivations. Learn to grow a thick skin.”
- “You will always be seen as an outsider to some people here. You didn’t grow up here, and to them, you will always be from a different world. If you don’t like it, then move on.”
That last one was perhaps the hardest for me to accept, having lived in various communities throughout my life. But Dot was right. Even after nearly 10 years in Virginia Beach, someone recently reminded me, “Lisa, you’re new here.”
These truths weren’t always easy to internalize, but Dot gave them to me with the intent of equipping me not just to survive but to thrive in my adopted community. And I believe I passed her “vetting.”
Dot became a mentor, offering guidance and support over the years. While we didn’t always agree, we shared a deep love for positively impacting our community and advancing the work of the Sandler Center Foundation.
I always knew Dot was there if I needed her, and her absence will be profoundly felt. As I write this, feeling choked up, I am reminded of an inside joke she and I shared, along with one of her most important lessons:
“Learn to find the humor in a situation when times are tough.”
“Good Bye, Dot. You will be missed.”
Lisa Baehre
Executive Director
Sandler Center Foundation
