 Dean was inspired to write several books on Alabama's zoology and botany by her frustration with the lack of books available on the subject.She self-published "Let's Learn the Birds of Alabama" in 1957, "Trees and Shrubs in the Heart of Dixie" in 1961, "Let's Learn the Ferns of Alabama" in 1964, and "Wildflowers of Alabama and Adjoining States" in 1973.Dean died in 1974, aged 88, from complications caused by a major stroke.