Tavia Ann (Yager) Crowder

On December 28, 1939 Tavia, an only child was born in Pasadena, CA to parents Dale Alva Yager and Betty Lou De Beaulieu Yager. Tavia graduated Pasadena High School in 1957 and received her bachelor's degree from Occidental College in 1961 and was was an outstanding elementary teacher prior to becoming a mom/homemaker and caretaker to her maternal aunt Octavie, a retired Navy Second Lieutenant and her stepfather Ralph Milton Peterson (a furniture maker) whom gave her hand in marriage to James (Jim) Powell Crowder.

Tavia met her late ex-husband Jim on a double date with their friends Nancy & the late Hans Mahr. The couples decided they were more interested in the opposite partners and from their two relationships and marriages formed. In 1977, the Crowder family relocated to Mercer Island, Washington from Rancho Verde Palisades, CA for Jim’s career with Boeing. Tavia became an employee of the Seattle Opera where her love for the opera brought her cherished memories, a supporter and lifetime membership. Through the years, Tavia served on several committees as chairwoman including; 1988 - 1990 President of the Seattle Opera Guild, 2006 SOG Vice President of Member Services, 1991 Chairwoman for the Divas & Diamonds Annual Fashion Luncheon, and the 1993 recipient of the prestigious SOG Award of Distinction.

Tavia was also a Révérence Society Member as well donor and supporter of the Pacific Northwest Ballet serving as the League President from 1993-1995. She was involved with many local organizations and charities near or on Mercer Island serving once as the Chairwoman for Mercer Island Citizen Advisory Board, a Member of All-Island PTA Council and a committee chair with Seattle’s League of Women Voters.

Tavia is preceded in death by her long-time companion (15 years) Roger Bockman (2013), father, Dale A. Yager (1946) , mother, Betty Lou Yager Peterson (1962), step father Ralph Milton Peterson (1972), her paternal grandparents Alice Josephine Yager (1980) & Sherman Alva Yager (1922) , her maternal grandparents, Bessie Estelle Main de Beaulieu (1968) & Louis Hudon De Beaulieu (1974) and her maternal aunt Octavie Ann De Beaulieu (1981) and paternal aunt Alice Sherman Yager “Dode” Yager (1982), paternal uncle Harvey Cleon Yager (1977) and her ex-husband James Powell Crowder (2002)

Tavia is survived by her son Eric (Cindy) Crowder and grandson Harper (5) from Buford, GA and son Mark (Jessica) Crowder and grandson Lucas(10) of Lake Stephens, WA.

Also surviving Tavia are her longtime elementary friends Nancy Mahr and Joyce Hayward and her partner Roger’s adult children (spouses), their children (spouses), and grandchildren, whom Tavia loved and considered her own family.

Tavia was a kind, joyful and generous giving person. She was loved dearly by family, friends and colleagues who will miss her cheerful smile and positivity. She loved hosting and planning events and was an excellent hostess; especially for her local wine group who were close friends for many years on Mercer Island

A Celebration of Life will take place at 3 P.M. on Monday April 3, 2023 at Sunset Hills Memorial at 1215 145th Place SE Bellevue, WA 98007 . Those wishing to celebrate Tavia’s life are invited to attend. We welcome you to share your stories of our mom and help us cherish and memorialize her life with love and laughter. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com for the Crowder family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be given in Tavia’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at the link: http://act.alz.org/goto/TaviaYCrowder