FORT MILL (S.C.) Anne Springs Close died Friday. She used her family's textile fortune for the community by giving back education and land preservation. She was 95.
Close, who was injured when a branch of a tree fell on her at Fort Mill, South Carolina, just a few days before, died, according to an Anne Springs Close Greenway statement, her most prestigious conservation achievement.
Close was the sole heir to the Springs textile empire that stretched across the Southeast over a decade ago, when textiles were the main industry in the region.
Close, a member of The Nature Conservancy, set aside 2,100 acres (850 ha) of her family's land for a greenway in the 1980s as Charlotte, North Carolina's growth spread to Fort Mill. Close left aside 4,000 acres (1.620 hectares), for development.
Developers tend to build first and then if they have any left, they will create a green space. It was the opposite. According to the greenway statement, Close stated that they made the green space first.
Close also donated time and money to many education and family projects near Fort Mill, as well as other places around the globe.
Close's family claimed that she was the last person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Hindenburg German airship. Close ran the New York City Marathon and, after her eight children left for college, Close was elected the first woman to the Wofford College Board of Trustees. She eventually became the chairwoman.
Close lost her vision from macular disease later in life. However, she was able to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the 80s and Mount Washington in New Hampshire in her 88 years, feats that nearly killed her.
Close, who was struck by the branch, was conscious at the hospital. She tapped into her deep religious faith as well as her sense of humor, according to her family.
Close stated, "I saved too many trees."
