Abigail Howe Crawford

Abigail Howe Crawford died peacefully at her home in Longmont, Colorado on July 28th, 2006. She was 83 years old.She was born September 13th, 1922 in Wabash, Arkansas to Crete St. Clair Howe, a Longmont native, and Otis Dexter Howe, Sr. Her early childhood was spent in Arkansas and at the age of ten, after the death of her father, her mother returned with Abigail and her four siblings to Longmont. She graduated from Longmont High School and attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs where she received her B.A. in Art in 1944.After her marriage to Clarence Clay Crawford, Jr. in 1946, she lived in Pueblo, Colorado where she raised her three children and served as a faithful volunteer in the community. She later moved to Denver then on to Longmont where she spent the remainder of her life. The joys in her life included family, friends, travel, art, music and Mexican cuisine. She loved spending time at her family cabin in the mountains. Abigail was blessed with a wry sense of humor, much to the delight of her friends and family.She was preceded in death by sister, Alice Herrick Howe; brothers, Otis Dexter Howe, Jr., Samuel James Howe, Sr. and wife, Betty; as well as former husband C. Clay Crawford.She is survived by sons James Paul Crawford and wife, Nancy; Wilson Clay Crawford and wife, C.J.; daughter, Crete St. Clair Crawford Wood and husband, Chips; granddaughter, Catharine St. Clair Wood, grandsons Colby James Crawford, Samuel Clay Crawford, Oliver Ellsworth Wood III and wife, Sara, and great-grandson, Wilson James Wood. Also surviving are brother Wilson St. Clair Howe and wife, Ruth; sister-in-law Alice Frances Howe; cousin Sarah Hartman Zimdahl and many beloved nieces and nephews.The family is deeply indebted to Lupe, her very special caregiver, who helped comfort and guide her through the last months of her life. Thanks also to caregivers Toni, Yuniah and Beverly, as well as her wonderful hospice team: Erika, Charley and Cathy. A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2006, 2:00pm at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont.Memorial contributions in Abigail's name may be made to ElderCare Connections, LLC, HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and Colorado College.