Lee (Reynolds) Crawford

1929—2018

Lee Crawford has danced into her next expression of life. Lee was the fourth of seven children born to Arthur and Esther Reynolds in Milford, Massachusetts. She graduated from Milford High School and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, School of Nursing, now Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston MA, as well Napa Valley College and St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA with a degree in Health Services Administration. She worked at Peter Bent Brigham and briefly did some private duty nursing at Milford Hospital.

Lee came to CA “as a sweet young thing seeking her fortune.” She worked in Pasadena as a head nurse and also did some private duty nursing. She married Don Crawford in Pasadena and moved to Napa just before the birth of their first son, Stephen. She worked in Albert’s Department Store and then at Parks Victory Hospital until the opening of the new Queen of the Valley Hospital, where she recalled providing medications from a cardboard box during the settling-in process. She also lived and worked briefly in Redding and in San Louis Obispo. After the birth of her second son, Jud, she worked in a Napa convalescent hospital, then returned to the Queen of the Valley Hospital for the remainder of her nursing career. Most of her work years were spent as a RN, Head Nurse, Nurse Manager, Patient Care Coordinator and Discharge Planner.

Lee was an active member of the Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living and was a prayer practitioner there for more than 30 years. She also served as a Spiritual Coach. Lee loved life. She always carried a positive attitude, was uplifting, had a quick wit, and a great sense of humor. Lee was a student of Tai Chi for more than 20 years and enjoyed the action and activity, as well as the many friends she made. The Tai Chi group has planted a tree at Kennedy Park in her honor. She enjoyed playing bridge and other card games and the teams she played with. Her life was full and she was blessed with many friends throughout her journey.

Lee was predeceased by her brothers, Arthur, and Richard, and sister, Arlene. She is survived by her sister(s), Eunice of Massachusetts, and Joyce (Al) of Texas, and brother Everett of Massachusetts; sons, Stephen (Rita), and Judson; granddaughters Heather (Steve), and Stephanie; and great granddaughters, Addison, Lillie, Gwynn, and Sara.

A memorial service will be held on 378 at 10:00 AM at the Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living with Rev. Janet Garvey-Stangvik presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Napa Valley Center for Spiritual Living, 1237 Coombs Street, Napa, CA 94559.

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