Barbara Sue Crawford

Barbara Sue Crawford, age 74, of Ahsahka, ID, formerly of Weippe, ID and Umatilla, OR, passed away Monday, April 4, 2016 at Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino, ID. There will be a private family inurnment at Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Maries, ID. In honor of Barbara’s memory, friends and family are invited to meet at 10 a.m., Friday, May 20th at the Pondarosa Restaurant for a no host brunch. Please RSVP Phyllis at 208-816-6595 by May 10th. Cremation was under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. Condolences may be made to Barb’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

Barbara was born on Nov. 1, 1941 to Charles Harrison “Harry” and Edna Lee (Butler) Burton in East Chicago, IN. In 1944 she moved with her family to St. Maries, ID where her father worked for the railroad. She attended school in St. Maries. Barb married Albert Charles “Abbie” Crawford on June 12, 1958; they made their home in St. Maries.

Work led them to live in Weippe, ID where they raised their four children; residing there for over 20 years. Barb was a stay at home mom until after all her children were in school, she then took a janitorial job at Timberline High School and then at Pierce Middle School for a few years. Her mother came to live with them in the early 1980’s; this is when she started her career as a home caregiver.

When there was a down turn in the logging industry, Abbie found work with NACA, Inc. out of Hermiston, OR in 1987 driving truck; he later transferred to the Ontario, OR branch as a long haul truck driver. They moved to Umatilla, OR about 1992 where Barb continued to live after Abbie passed away in Nov. of 1996, working as a caregiver for many families, as well as continuing to take care of her mother until she passed away in Sept. of 2003. About 2009 she moved to Ahsahka, ID to be near family. Barb continued to work as a home caregiver until a week before her death. Her people were very important to her and she cared

deeply for them all and was fearlessly loyal to them.

Much can be said about this feisty, stubborn woman! She loved her grandchildren and they could do no wrong in her eyes. She was a hard worker, loved to laugh and joke, loved Pepsi, liked to read romance novels, play electronic solitaire, enjoyed camping, gambled when she could, and would help anyone who needed it. A favorite pastime was listening to the police scanner. Barb (Daisy Mae) and Abbie (Lil’ Abner) were members of the Clearwater Valley CB club for many years. She will be missed but never forgotten.

She is survived by her brother, Paul “Punky” Burton (Marie) of Fernwood, ID; her daughters, Phyllis Crawford (Jim Dodge) of Ahsahka, ID, Tina Tropf (Jeff Kubal) of New Plymouth, ID, and Barbara Ann “Barbie” Palmer (Kevin) of Clearwater, ID; her son, Jason “Jay” Crawford and his fiancée, Joyce Withey of Stites, ID; her grandchildren, David Crawford (Sarah McReynolds), Deanna Hess, Grant Hess, Brent Hess (Amanda McColloch), Derek Tropf and Aaron Tropf; and 11 great grandchildren with one on the way. She is also survived many of her children’s friends who she loved and considered them as her adopted children.

Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Edna; her husband, Abbie; her sister, Carolyn Burton; a brother, William “Bill” Burton; a granddaughter, Kyra Hess; and her faithful doggy companion, Chico.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all for the endless care and compassion toward our loved one during her time in the hospital. Thank you Dr. Petersen, Dr. Katzman and Dr. Danke, the many wonderful nurses and CNA’s, as well as the housekeeping staff for ensuring comfort and peace to our family and Barb.

To honor Barb’s memory, donations may be made to Clearwater Humane Society, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83655.