Carol Jo Heald

Carol Jo Thayer Heald (CJ), 89, peacefully departed under the heavenly light of the November 5th full supermoon, 2025 at her home, Kendal at Longwood, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She always enjoyed a celestial event. CJ was the Energizer Bunny- quiet and indefatigable most of her life, dedicated to her family, involved with church and civic activities, and hands often occupied with projects.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, CJ lived in Wilmington, Delaware, the Takoma neighborhood of Washington DC and Brooklyn, New York as an army kid during World War II before settling with her family in Kennett in 1946. She took up cello (named Tiny), became a dedicated Girl Scout, and was inspired to pursue a career in the medical sciences. She graduated from Kennett High School in 1954, and the University of Connecticut in 1958 with a BS Physical Therapy. 

During her first PT job at the Delaware Curative Workshop in Wilmington, she met patient and future spouse Richard Heald (Dick). They married in 1961 when she was a PT at Chester County Hospital in Westchester, PA. CJ and Dick raised their children Susan and Steven in Mendenhall, PA. A part-time working mom from 1970-1980, she was a contract PT for Wilmington’s Kentmere Nursing Home and Chester County’s Health Department, while making time to ferry her children to and from various activities, and run a Girl Scout troop at Greenwood Elementary School.

With kids in high school, she pursued a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Delaware, graduating in 1982. Though a teaching job didn’t materialize, she served as head of PT at Kendal~Crosslands retirement community from 1982 into1989, also training interns from surrounding colleges. When she deemed Medicare paperwork too excessive, CJ sought an alternative outlet and trained to become a certified Feldenkrais Method practitioner. Though a 1991 breast cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment interrupted her path, she completed her training and established her Feldenkrais practice in 1994, teaching clients “Awareness through Movement” until about 2015.

A born maker and musician, she sewed many articles of clothing and knit sweaters for her family that were passed down again and again. She and Dick silk screen printed many a Christmas card and T-shirt, running a small printing business for a short time. With music, CJ returned to the cello, playing in the Kennett Symphony Orchestra throughout the 1960s and into the 70s. Hand bell ringing was another of her musical interests starting at the Kennett Presbyterian Church, then continuing at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, and at Kendal. She was ringing bells until the COVID pandemic hit.

CJ also fostered a deep interest in history and archaeology. She first attended an archaeological field school through the Center for American Archaeology in Kampsville, IL in 1976. A decade later, she and Dick went off to Repton England as Earthwatch volunteers to help excavate an 873 A.D. Viking site at Repton Abby - a unique “vacation” they very much enjoyed. Later, she was a steady, dedicated Chester County Historical Society volunteer, helping with textile and garment collections care, from 1989 through 2014. She was also one of the family genealogists, tracking down ancestors in her spare time.

CJ was a longtime member of the Kennett Presbyterian Church serving as senior high advisor, Sunday school teacher, Elder, and Christian education committee member. CJ and Dick later joined the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester (1997) where CJ delighted in the church’s musical offerings (especially handbells) and became a longtime member of a beloved church dinner group.

Family was central to CJ‘s life. She advocated for her kids as youngsters, her parents as elders, and cared for Dick at the beginning and end of their 60-year partnership. She delighted in caring for her three grandchildren. Thanksgiving gatherings and beach trips with extended family were held precious, cementing ties as the family circle grew ever wider.

CJ is survived by daughter, Susan Carol Heald (Michael Brehl); son, Steven Thomas Heald; grandchildren, Roslyn Jade Heald Brehl, Rebecca Beatrice Brehl, and Olivia Elizabeth Heald; brother, Charles (Chuck) Fracker Thayer, and members of her extended family.  CJ was predeceased by her infant son, David Thayer Heald; her parents, Charles Muchmore Thayer and Elizabeth Fracker Thayer; sister, Patricia Thayer Cash, and husband, Richard Thomas Heald. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday April 11, 2026 at the Auditorium, Kendal at Longwood, 1109 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA.

Burial will be private in Lower Brandywine Cemetery.

 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kendal Reserve Fund, Kendal~Crosslands Communities, Attn: Philanthropy Dept., P.O. Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348, or made online at https://www.kendal-crosslands.org/support-us/

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