Lois M. Hekker, a Florida real estate broker who was very involved in the state’s real estate industry, died Saturday, July 30, at the age of 66.
Hekker was broker/owner of Buyer’s Agents International Realty in Sarasota. Her son William C. Bohack of Siesta Key, Fla., will now run the business.
She was very active in her Florida community and local affairs, and was a pioneer in the real estate industry.
“Lois was an early innovator on the Web, using e-mail and news groups to stir it up, promote change and get in the faces of the real estate establishment,” said Bradley Inman, publisher of Inman News. “She helped improve our industry.”
Hekker sought change in the industry and her local market. In November 2004, she filed a lawsuit against the Sarasota Association of Realtors alleging the trade group committed antitrust violations by requiring real estate professionals to join the association to receive certain services related to lockboxes and information on sold properties that had been listed in the Multiple Listing Service.
The suit was dismissed last month due to Hekker’s poor health. But the case could be brought back to court at a later date.
Hekker was born in Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 13, 1938. She was a schoolteacher in Oakhurst and moved on to become one of the first women marketing directors in New York City with Ted Bates Advertising Co.
She later resided in Wall, N.J., on the Jersey Shore for 20 years, where she was very involved with the fire and rescue industry in the tri-state area, making mugs and ceramics from her company, the Lady Mugger.
The family has arranged visitation for Friday, Aug. 5, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home, 7454 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fla.
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