Cynthia Louise Crawford

On August 10, 2011, I lost my dearest friend of more than 40 years, Cynthia Louise Crawford, 66, died in Oklahoma City, Okla. She was born in Oklahoma City on April 29, 1945. We all knew her as Cindy

Cindy was a retired businesswoman who previously worked in advertising and media, as a legal secretary, a ballet instructor, and as a model, before owning an automotive collision center and a vending business.

Her lifetime hobby was raising and showing purebred Siamese cats, one of whom (GC DM CindyLou’s Sister Katherine O’Riley) holds the Distinguished Merit of producing more Grand Champions than any other Siamese female in the history of the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Cindy always enjoyed dancing and was a member of the Oklahoma City Ballet Company and competed in ballroom dance competitions in her earlier years. She also spent time in retirement working for political causes and was president of the First Capital Republican Women’s group in Logan County at the time of her death.

Preceding her in death was her father Rayburn Roberts. She is survived by her husband George Crawford of Luther, OK.; her beloved mother Elaine Roberts Protivinsky of Oklahoma City; brother Norman Roberts and his wife Carol of Edmond, OK and a multitude of devoted friends around the globe.

Cindy was a very diversified lady with a lively wit and wonderful enthusiasm, loved by all who were lucky enough to know her. She once wrote about herself for an Oklahoma Republican Women’s Newsletter and within that article she told us that “It would be fun to say I drink Diet Pepsi and fly all over the world for fashion shoots!!! I wish! But No, no – I am a native born Okie from Oklahoma City, a graduate of Classen High School, a violin student of Professor Herbert Bagwell and a ballet student of Robert Bell, Yvonne Chouteau and Miquel Terekhov.”

After completing her first year at the University of Oklahoma, she set off for a career in ballet in New York City. With two Summers of study already under her belt, she felt “ready for the big time.” What a surprise she received from her father when he very lovingly informed her that “my end of the table had been sawed off.” Luckily her aunt and uncle watched over her and she got a job at a top advertising agency in Manhattan. However, in less than 2 years she was back home, attending Oklahoma City University and majoring in something more sensible, like business

She goes on to say “Unable to resist the urge to dance I was a member of the OKC Ballet Co. Finally hanging up ,my pointe shoes, I served as Ballet Oklahoma Guild Chair for 3 years and as President in 1977-1978. In addition, I served as Oklahoma County Medical Auxiliary Committee Chair for 3 years. My most enjoyable dancing experience came from International Amateur Ballroom competition. My partner, Dr. Russell Allen, and I earned the United States Amateur runner-up spot in 1977”

In 1979 she married George Crawford and then worked as a Media Research Supervisor for TG&Y Stores, then an Administrative Assistant for a major Washington, DC consulting firm under contract with the state of Oklahoma. With George they owned an auto collision center in Albuquerque, NM and managed a vending business in NM, AZ, and the much missed Navajo Reservation. In about 2007 they moved back to Oklahoma built a gorgeous home on a beautiful piece of property in Logan County, near Edmond, OK and subsequently retired.

Cindy bred, raised, and showed Siamese cats beginning in 1968. “The CindyLou Cattery” Cindy’s last foray into the world of cats was to accompany me as a CFA Ambassador to NYC for the Meet The Breeds held at the Jacob Jarvitz Center in October 2010. The attendance at that 2 day event exceeded 40,000 spectators and she charmed everyone lucky enough to pass our booth. Indeed she was a wonderful woman and friend. I watched her grow up beginning just after her years in NYC and marveled at the grace and majestic aura that always surrounded her. Her youth and beauty developed into maturity and strength seldom if ever equaled.

Cindy was loved by all that were fortunate enough to have known her and her untimely death is deeply grieved by the multitudes.

To the “sister” I never had – today I say, Goodby dear Cindy may you rest in peace until we meet again. (WTG) will love you always,

Willa Rogers-Hawke