Dona Barrier Crowell

Family. Friendship. Fun. Love. Generosity. Support. These were the foundations of the life of Dona Lou Barrier Crowell, who passed from this life at the age of 75 surrounded by her loving family. Between her birth on Sept. 21, 1940 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston, TX and her release from suffering on July 25, 2016 at her home in April Sound, Dona brightened the lives of all with her infectious laugh and enthusiasm. She enjoyed creating a beautiful home and inviting everyone to enjoy it, especially her beloved family. She is survived by her husband, George Bernard “Bernie” Roush, son Garrett Crowell (Debbie,) daughters Jennifer Stomberg (Larry) and Courtnay Crowell (Justin Smith.) Also grieving are sister Tassa Bishop (Marion,) nieces Tracy Osborn (Robin,) Cindy Bishop, Kathy Bernhardt, Julie Clardy (Benjamin), Laurie Frugé and nephew Brian Bishop (Tricia) and 6 grandchildren.

Dona was preceded in death by her husband Thomas N. Crowell, her parents Ocie Hays Barrier and Miller Barrier, brother Miller Mouton “Buddy” Barrier and nephew Barry Michael Bishop.

In her youth, Dona enjoyed dancing, water skiing, spending time with her family at the San Leon Bay House and later at the house on Lake Livingston. She attended Burnet Elementary, Jackson Junior High School, and Austin High School. Following in her sister’s footsteps, she was elected Drill Major of the Scottish Brigade at Austin High School for the 1957-58 school year. She enjoyed maintaining ties to her Brigade sisters throughout her life.

Dona’s beloved sister Tassa was a constant in her life. Tassa regarded her almost as a daughter when they were young, and they became lifelong best friends. Dona loved her nieces and nephews greatly. She also felt very close to their children, especially Ashley Crawley but also Kevin and Brandon Osborn, Nicole Thompson, Whitney Ross, Megan Grabau, Paige Sample, Tiffany Bishop Amis, Trenton Bishop, Taylor McGraw and Torye Bishop. She also leaves behind her dear cousin Jimmie Hays and many relatives in Mississippi.

The first member of her family to attend college, Dona graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1962 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, another source of friendship that she valued throughout her life. On August 11, 1962, she married Thomas N. Crowell and worked for the Railroad Commissioner in Austin while supporting Tom through law school at UT. When he was hired at the law firm of Hutcheson and Grundy in Houston, she worked as a secretary before starting a family. Later, she volunteered as bookkeeper for the Memorial Forest Club. She also volunteered for Junior Forum and CASA. Dona created beautiful homes in several parts of Houston (Rice Village, Memorial Area, Downtown) Dallas (University Park) and April Sound (Montgomery, TX.)

Dona saw her calling as wife and mother. She excelled at both and believed that the years of homemaking, raising kids and sharing her life with Tom were the best of her life. She often expressed her gratitude for her good fortune. She strived to support her family, and set them up to succeed. She built deep friendships with other mothers which were occasionally enlivened by a wine-enhanced afternoon date. She raised her children to have solid values and kind hearts. Weathering the normal challenges of marriage, Dona and Tom forged a deeper, stronger love. They frequently joked about how much they were looking forward to their adventures as empty-nesters, and they followed through! They played more tennis, travelled and enjoyed their friends. As Tom became ill with Lewy Body disease, she cared for him constantly and they enjoyed each other’s company more quietly until he died on March 31, 2004.

After Tom’s death she focused on her role as outstanding grandmother. Time with Mama Dona was a huge treat for Karl, Miranda and Karina Stomberg, Foster and Isabeau Smith and Austin Crowell. Dona traveled as often as she could to be with her children and grandchildren and was always eager to lend support of all kinds to make their lives easier.

Dona had a talent for building and maintaining friendships. A few of her long-term commitments were to the Novel Ideas Book Club, Tennis Teams at the Memorial Forest Club and April Sound, and the Pathfinders Sunday School class at Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Any memorial of Dona’s life would be incomplete without including her beloved friends Shirley Rothwell, Judy Merchant, Bobbie and Lloyd Linton, Susan and Bill Kronshage, Sandy Click, Frank and Ramsay Gorham, Mary Beth Fetzer, Kitty Mills, Fran Gantt, Mary Nan and David Sone, Marcia Kesner, Dona Badgett, Judy Scarborough, Joe and Eve Riley, Bonnie and Jack Chandler, Ann and Jim Lloyd, Bev and J Taylor, Nan Boettcher, Jo Frances Greenlaw, Martha Hunt, Eva Gayle Gibbs, Sally Ward, Patti Dozier, Lora Lynn Davis, Judy Allen, Charlie and Charlotte Oliver, Don and Beverly Griffith, Martha Satterwhite, Janet Juban and Covey Nash. This is a woefully incomplete list. If you were Dona’s friend, you knew she cared about you and would always make time for you.

Also beloved were Tom’s family: His sisters Suzy Red (Charlie) and Katherine Cates (Gerald) and their children Terri Red McGee (Paul,) Chuck Red (Lisa) and Tyler Cates. Also, Nan Crowell Cole and the family from the Valley.

Dona loved to plan and take vacations. Some of the most memorable were yearly trips to the YMCA of the Rockies in the summer and ski vacations in the winter with her young family. She and Tom enjoyed Bar Association trips as a couple. Retired travel life included cruising and touring Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand and Canada with family and close friends. Dona’s enthusiasm created an entertaining and gracious travel companion. Some of her favorite cruises were with Bernie, Tassa, Scooter, Tracy and Robin. Especially meaningful was a fall colors tour of New England and Canada near the end of Kitty Mills’ life. One of the favorite family traditions were ‘women only’ trips with Tassa, Ocie, Tracy, Courtnay, Jennifer, Debbie and cousins. She also enjoyed reading, artistic and athletic pursuits when time permitted and became accomplished at needlepoint, tailoring, and cake decorating as well as tennis, hiking and snow skiing.

After mourning the loss of Tom, Dona was blessed with a second marriage to Bernie Roush on December 27, 2008. He took great care of her and all aspects of her life. They enjoyed traveling, especially on a halfway-around-the-world cruise on the Queen Victoria in 2008. She enjoyed introducing him to her social life, encouraging him to learn tennis and enjoy parties. Unfortunately, their lively marriage adventures were cut short after less than three years. Dona suffered a spinal cord injury which left her partial quadriplegic after a fall while visiting family in Montana in August 2011. Bernie cared for Dona constantly following her tragic accident. His love and attention were constant and complete. Despite valiant efforts, Dona was not able to recover her ‘spark’ after the accident and life was a constant struggle of disability and pain. After weathering several life threatening illnesses related to her injury, she suffered a series of strokes from which she could not recover. Bernie’s devotion and the care of her aides, especially Amanda Robinson and Juan Estell with You’re First and the wonderful staff of Hospice Plus allowed her to live out the rest of her life at home, surrounded by her friends.