Vivian Crawford

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she grew up in the Midwest with her parents and three brothers. After graduating from Shawnee Mission High School, she worked for Wilcox, learning skills that would be of value much of her life.

She married Herbert Crawford in June 1948. On returning to KC after a three month road trip honeymoon visiting most of the states west of the Mississippi, they had a message that property had come available next to Herb’s uncle outside Tualatin, Oregon. They quickly packed up their little trailer and returned to Oregon. Winters were spent in Portland with Herb’s aunt because the roads became impassable in the winter. While Herb used his GI bill to go to welding school, Vivian quickly found employment with Tektronix lacing cables (predecessor to the printed circuit board). Her prior experience provided skills that excelled her predecessor who could not keep up with production. Daughters Carol and Sandy were born during this time. When Carol entered first grade, Vivian quit Tektronix, had back surgery and looked after the girls. Her son, David, came along a few years later.

Living on five acres in the country gave Vivian lots of opportunity to garden and care for many different animals over the years. One of her favorite stories was about the dime store goldfish who lived in a five gallon tank. He eventually grew to 5” in length and had a knack for jumping out of the tank. She found him several times on the floor and returned him to the tank to swim another day.

Herb’s relatives in Oregon kept her supplied with starts of plants to grow and she loved them all whether they were something “fancy” or what others considered weeds. In the early 50’s she had great success with African Violets, growing them and propagating them to share with friends. She instilled these values in her children and was frequently the recipient of plants they had rescued from friends and neighbors.

She committed much time to Stafford Baptist Church—teaching Sunday School, leading the women’s group, serving as Church Treasurer for several years, helping in the kitchen at church dinners. She spent countless hours making items for White Cross—from cutting and rolling bandages to sewing baby blankets and jackets.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, she enjoyed quilting, embroidery and crocheting. After Carol and Sandy learned to sew clothing, she enjoyed doing the finish handwork in the morning between the time Herb left for work and the kids left for school.

As the time approached for Dave to go to college, she went back to her electronic skills and assembled “black boxes” that ran multiple slide projector shows.

Although Herb and Vivian had planned to travel after he retired, they did little traveling and spent much time looking after elderly neighbors. They enjoyed filling others needs and found it a fulfilling purpose in life.

In August, 2005 Vivian had a mild stroke and moved to assisted living at the Marquis in Wilsonville. She made friends there and enjoyed the staff. The aids often went out of their way to supply everyday needs as they saw them. For several years she participated in the exercise classes, hall and nature walks and country drives. She also enjoyed Bible studies and singing the old hymns. Watching the children that came in to entertain the residents was always special. She also enjoyed the resident dogs.

Much of the summer of 2011 was spent in skilled nursing recovering from pneumonia. She was not able to recover physical strength. She passed quickly and quietly. Her sweet, caring spirit will be missed by family, friends and many other lives she touched.

We know her physical pain is gone and she has gone to be with the Lord. She is survived by children Carol Crawford, Sandy Ahrens, and Dave Crawford; grandchildren Bill Ahrens and Joshua Crawford; great-granddaughter BrookeLynn Ahrens.

In lieu of flowers please donate to NW Medical Teams or Portland Rescue Mission.

Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.