Lake Okeechobee plane crash: Colleagues, husband of Heather Bridwell describe her as ‘strong,’ ‘personable’

March 14-- Mar. 14--Heather Wallace Bridwell was known for her athleticism and passion for law.

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, the 43-year-old Jupiter resident died with three of her Peterson Bernard colleagues after the twin-engine plane they were in crashed into Lake Okeechobee on Friday while returning from a business trip to Tampa. She leaves behind her husband Jason; 8-year-old daughter Megan; parents John and Shelby Wallace; siblings Eric and Melanie; and dogs Timber and Bouy.

Jason Bridwell described his late wife as a "strong yet kind person" and a "great mother."

"I don't know anybody who didn't like her," he said. "There's a lot of people hurting besides me."

Her Facebook page features sunrise beach scenes and her daughter, who sports the same red hair as her mother.

Bridwell was a shareholder at Peterson Bernard's Stuart office, and had practiced law in the insurance defense field since 2000, according to her biography. The firm was established in 1981 and provides services to "insurers, third party administrators, businesses, governments and individuals," according to the website. With offices also in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the firm also had 20 attorneys on staff.

She was active in the legal community as a member of the Justice Major B. Harding American Inns of Court, the Martin County Bar Association and was chairperson of the Law Week Committee for the Palm Beach County Bar Association. Her death -- as well as those of colleagues Matthew Fiorello, Edwin "Ted" Mortell III and the firm's founder Eric Peterson -- came as a shock to area attorneys. Pilot Eduardo Mulet also died in the crash.

"This is a really, really close-knit legal community," said Gregory Huber, president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and attorney with Jupiter-based Zele Huber. "I think the whole legal community is mourning."

Huber said that while he didn't know Bridwell personally, he knew her through bar activities, like the annual Law Week that provides programs free to the community, including dial-a-lawyer phone-in program and mock trials.

For the Law Week softball game in April, which pits judges against attorneys, Huber said the attorneys' team name would be "Heather's Team."

"Everybody that's been playing in the game knows how much this meant to her," Huber said.

Bridwell enjoyed being active, participating in social law activities like paddleboarding and softball.

"She was a natural athlete," said Jessica VanValkenburgh, president of the Martin County chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and attorney with Stuart-based McCarthy, Summers, Bobko, Wood, Norman, Bass & Melby P.A. Bridwell had previously served two terms as president of this organization.

VanValkenburgh said she was devastated by the news.

"She's an absolutely wonderful person," she said. "She was a joy to be around."

In addition to funds being raised by the Martin County chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help her family. In four days, the fund raised more than $20,000.

Sasha Dadan Bonna, who runs a law firm based in Fort Pierce, said Bridwell was fearless, outgoing and always had a smile on her face.

"She was very personable," she said. "You could have a conversation with her and not feel like you were in a courtroom."

The crash was a reality check, Dadan Bonna said, making her think of how short life can be.

"You would never expect for it to happen so close to home and to someone you knew," she said.

A celebration of life will be held in Bridwell's honor at Carlin Park's north beach pavilion at 2 p.m. Sunday.

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