Treva Mae Crimmins

Treva was born to the late James and Anna Whiteaker, August 14, 1926, in Portland, OR. She grew up on a working farm just outside of Kalama, WA. She always talked fondly of her childhood on the farm with her mom and dad and brothers. Their adventures became part of a genealogy book she was later to write. During her high school years, Treva began her life-long cultivation of her artistic self. She drew, sewed and knitted, and she sang. She recorded several self-produced records that were to exemplify her zest and drive for life. Treva graduated from Kalama High School in 1944 and traveled to Forest Grove, Oregon where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Pacific University, in 1948. Her first teaching assignment was in Tillamook, Oregon where she met her future husband, Donald Crimmins. She married Donald in 1950 in Longview, Washington. They honeymooned by driving to British Columbia, Canada which included a full exploration of Vancouver Island. From Tillamook, Donald and Treva set out for Pullman, Washington where Donald had been accepted to Veterinary School. Rebecca was born in 1954 during his student years. After graduation in 1958, the couple spent some time in Washington while Donald spent time accumulating experience in large animal practices. Treva lived in Longview, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Snohomish. Catherine was born in 1958 and Allen was born in 1960. Donald and Treva decided instead to establish a small animal practice in Portland, and located themselves and their family in the Rockwood area, East Multnomah county of Portland. While living in Portland, she took painting classes. Her house and friends received many tole painting pieces as well as oil paintings later.

After Donald established the Rockwood Animal Hospital, Treva went back to school to become a florist. Treva worked in a local florist shop in the area and gained considerable skill as a business woman and as a designer of floral arrangements. During that time, the family vacationed regularly at Rockaway Beach at the Oregon Coast. Treva and Donald built a house at Rockaway Beach. Treva then began taking stained glass classes and installed the main loft stained glass window that remains yet today. It was there that Treva went when her divorce was complete.

Treva built a florist business that served Tillamook County, Oregon called the Windrose. The first shop was located in Garibaldi and eventually the shop was moved to Manzanita. She was fully a part of the community of the Coast. She acted in community theater, took writing courses, and participated in the annual 4th of July parade.

When Treva retired at the age of 62, she sold the business and the house in Rockaway and moved into a new home in the town of Port Ludlow, Washington. She lived in Port Ludlow for many years and continued to tap into the artistic side of her self-expression. She took classes in writing, short stories and poetry. She also had a keen interest in the genealogy of her family - from the perspective of both her dad's side and mother's side of their family. Treva, Rebecca and Catherine traveled to Arkansas to do research and genealogy documents were gathered from as far as Norka, Russia. Treva then put her writing, the genealogy research altogether in a self-published book, James and Anna.

From Port Ludlow, Treva moved to Woodinville, WA where she enjoyed the camaraderie of Brittany Park. She made many friends, enjoyed the music and holiday celebrations at Brittany. Once Treva's eyesight failed her, she moved to a new home in Kenmore, WA where she lived for just over a year.

Besides her art, Treva loved to travel. From her honeymoon vacation, to Disneyland, trips back to Vancouver Island, BC, trips to Oroville to see her brother Clyde and family, down to the Bay Area, and Hawaii several times; she traveled by car as well as by plane. Her grandest expedition was her trip to Russia in hopes of seeing where her grandparents had come from.

Treva had a huge heart for the animals in her life. Her family always included a dog and at least one cat. Her dogs Freckles, Machi, and her beloved last Keeshond, Katie and her cats, Noodles, Tiger, and Windy were her companions. She supported many wildlife charities including the Wildlife Conservancy, Wolf Haven International and Big Cat Rescue.

Treva is survived by three children: Rebecca Crimmins-Xczar of Sammamish,WA; Catherine Santini, Kirkland,WA ; and Allen Crimmins, Portland, OR. She also is survived by two grandchildren: Elizabeth and Mikayla Crimmins. She has three surviving brothers: Duke Whiteaker, Longview, WA; Junior (James Clifford) Whiteaker, Spokane, WA, and Clyde Whiteaker, Oroville, WA along with many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Treva was a great woman, and she is deeply missed by her family and all those whose lives she touched.