Wilma Crawford Kahn

Wilma (Billie) Crawford Kahn Beloved mother, amazing grandmother, traveler of the world, and storyteller extraordinaire, Billie Kahn, 92, passed away Friday, January 6, 2012 in San Rafael, California. Billie was born January 1, 1920, in Springfield, Oregon, the only child of Floy Lenore (Collins) Crawford and Frank Orville Crawford. Raised in Eugene, Oregon, Billie attended the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology in June 1941. She married Richard (Dick) Aaron Kahn, a 2nd LT. in the army and also a graduate of U of O, on December 6, 1941. Upon the birth of their daughter, Barbara, and Dick's return from the military at the close of the war, they bought a boat in Seattle and sailed the Pacific coast up to Alaska. The three, with their well-traveled dog Rita, lived on the 32-foot boat and explored the Alaskan coast for a year, much to the chagrin of the baby's grandparents. They moved to Fairfax shortly thereafter, and later to San Rafael, settling in Greenbrae in the late 1950s where Billie and her husband raised four active children in a lively household. Billie became involved in the PTA, was awarded a lifetime membership in AAUW, and served on the board of Sunny Hills. As part of Marin Foundation, she was instrumental in securing a new kitchen for Whistlestop. She also played a rousing game of bridge, playing her last game at Pickleweed before she passed. For the past 30 years it was travel that intrigued Billie, from local excursions to cross-country journeys, to far-flung destinations around the world. Sometimes solo, often with friends, many times at an Elderhostel. She loved nothing more than slipping into her car, oftentimes a sleeping bag rolled up in the trunk alongside the smallest of suitcases, and then taking off, map in hand, sandwich tucked in wax paper inside a paper-bag lunch on the passenger seat. In her travels, Billie watched the sun rise over Everest, floated the Amazon in a canoe, and strolled along the walls of Jericho, marveling at each step, each sight, each encounter. Ever intrigued, always exhilarated, Billie never tired of seeing the world and the many friends she made along the way. Billie was preceded in death by her husband Richard. She is survived by her four children Barbara Kahn, of Tiburon; Steven Paul Kahn (Linda) of Boise, Idaho; Richard Crawford Kahn (Joanne) of San Rafael; and James Franklin Kahn of Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren: Lauren E. Kahn of Madrid, Spain; and Paul A. Kahn of Sacramento; sister-in-law Linda M. Kahn of San Francisco. And many friends around the world. Services will be held Wednesday, January 11, at Keaton's Mortuary in San Rafael at 1:00PM followed by a private interment in Eugene, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901.

Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael, CA.