Molly Doreen Crawford, 90, of Grinnell, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Private graveside services will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you take a moment to hug your child, grandchild, or friend, or walk in the woods for a moment, an hour, or a day. Time waits for no one.
Molly was born Sept. 18,1932, in Felixstowe, UK, the daughter of Sydney P. and Doris E. Crabb. She attended All Girls Grade School in Felixstowe; at the time she went to this school, they had trench drill due to air raids during World War II. She enjoyed talking about her school years and the things her family went through during the war. Molly graduated from UK Westbourne School for Girls and continued her learning at East Anglia Hospital School of Nursing.
Feb. 2, 1952, Molly married Clark (Bones) Crawford at St. Pancras Catholic Church in Ipswich, England. Clark Crawford was stationed at Bentwaters Air Force Base at that time. Molly took her role as a military wife with pride. After being stationed at several places, they retired to Grinnell in 1970. She worked at St. Francis Manor and Grinnell Hospital. Molly enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, reading, and line dancing. Her favorite song was “Too Busy Being Fabulous.” Molly still had her British accent and British personality.
She is survived by her children Russell A. (Brenda) Crawford, Michele A. (Brad) Zegers, and Peter K. (Vicky) Crawford; stepchildren Cheryl A. Proudfoot, Caryl L. Kadner, and Denise L. Wilson; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grand-children; her faithful companion Bill Willson; brothers Victor (Nick) Crabb of Australia and Maxwell Crabb of England; and son-in-law George Coe.
She was predeceased by her spouse Clark W. Crawford; children Neil C. Crawford and Stephanie E. Coe; parents; and brothers Sydney Crabb, Kenneth Crabb, and Peter Crabb.