Eleanor Hedley Crabtree

ELEANOR CRABTREE 87, long-time resident of Riverside passed into eternal rest at a senior facility in Oceanside, CA on May 7, 2011. She was the wife of the late Roland H. Crabtree. Born in 1923 in Santa Ana, CA to Ralph and Alta Hedley, she lived in Riverside for 64 years before recently moving to San Diego County to be closer to her children. After graduating from Vista High School, Eleanor continued her education at San Diego State College as well as UCLA. Her life changed dramatically her junior year when serving as Maid of Honor at her sister\'s wedding. It was then that she met the groom\'s first cousin, Lt. Roland Crabtree. They were smitten and wed in Santa Ana in November of 1944, then moved to Riverside in 1946. A devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, Eleanor also cultivated many hobbies and interests. She was an excellent seamstress and loved making hats which she especially enjoyed wearing to church at Calvary Presbyterian, where she was a member since 1947. Her main passion was her garden filled with flowering plants and she derived great pleasure giving flowers, plants and citrus to friends and neighbors. Eleanor was an early devotee of yoga, physical fitness, Pilates and healthy-eating long before these were fashionable. She also loved playing the piano until her eyes failed in later years. After her husband Roland passed away in 1990, she became a docent at Heritage House. Eleanor was a good friend to many in Riverside and will be missed by all. She loved Riverside and was very generous in her support of the YMCA, the Pilates program at RCC, Riverside Community Players and Recovery, Inc. Eleanor is survived by children Joan Buchman, Steve (Linda) Crabtree and Marian Crabtree, and grandsons Andy and Scott Crabtree. Funeral services will be held at Calvary Presbyterian Church on May 21 at 11am, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church or a charity of choice. Funeral arrangements by Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 951-688-1221.