Barbara N. Crawford
Dec. 19, 1922-Dec. 24, 2018
Menlo Park, CA
Barbara Norris Crawford passed away peacefully on December 24, 2018. She was 96.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Menlo Church, 950 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park.
Born to Jean & Grace Norris, and raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1944 with a Bachelor of Mathematics degree. Following graduation, she moved to Schenectady, N.Y. to work for General Electric as an engineering assistant. It was there she met her future husband, Robert Crawford. In June of 1946 they were married and settled in Menlo Park, CA.
Barbara was an active volunteer, serving in local schools as PTA President, Girl Scout leader and math tutor. She was a member of Allied Arts Auxiliary serving the Children’s Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto Garden Club, Gamble Garden Center, and Cantor Arts Center where she was a docent for 25 years. She was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Barbara sang in both church choirs and with the Clef Hangers, a local women’s choral group.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who created a warm and welcoming home for family and friends. She enjoyed cooking, decorating and gardening and was an expert party hostess. Barbara and Bob traveled the world, visiting 6 continents. For years, they enjoyed a shared cottage with life-long friends in Carmel and annual trips to Hawaii.
Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband of 59 years, Robert Crawford and a sister, Joanne Buckley. She is survived by her son David (Christine) Crawford, daughter Jane (Stephen) Grundmeier, daughter Nancy (Russell) Werner, and daughter Susan (Daniel) Lockwood; grandchildren Elisabeth, Kathryn, Carla, Eric, Nicholas, MaryAnn, Raleigh, Thomas, William and Peter; and great-grandchildren Kaden, Eliana, Brooke, Soren, Adeline, Jonathan, Charles, John Robert, and Catherine. She is also survived by her brothers Edward Norris and Roger Norris.
