The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Maxine A. Crawford, 99, (MAC) went to be with her Lord last weekend at The Renaissance Assisted Living Facility in west Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She was born the eldest of four children to Elliott V. Heater and Bernice Wilson on the family homestead, a wheat ranch south of Ritzville, Wash. The family moved when she was small to Colfax for two years and on to Grandview, Wash. She enjoyed cooking for crews on the 40-acre farm in the Yakima Valley, as well as" practicing" teaching on her siblings and the neighbor kids.

Her love of mathematics and education led Maxine to the University of Idaho, Anderson University (IN), and the University of Washington where she was awarded her high school teaching certificate from the State of Washington.

Maxine married Jim Crawford December 22, 1940, in Grandview just prior to his joining the U.S. Navy for World War II. Following his return from the South Pacific, they became the proud parents of two sons, Jim Jr. and Rich and settled in Grand Coulee, Wash., for over 30 years where Maxine taught high school and Jim worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. Her family grew when both boys got married to JoAnn Skalka and Susan Smick, respectively. Each had one daughter, Sarah and Becky, respectively. Sarah and husband Anthony (Fusarelli) had Maxine's two great-grandsons, Theodore (2009) and Desmond (2012).

She taught school in Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam and in the consolidated Lake Roosevelt High School until 1973. "Mrs. Crawford" was honored by the student body with the dedication of the 1974 school annual to her the year after she retired. They had moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, permanently in 1973, followed the next year by the passing of her husband, Jim. She loved her home at Avondale and got to where she really did like "chasing that silly little ball around" and it brought her great joy through family, friendships, travels, and two (2) holes-in-one.

Maxine was a contributing member and leader in the Grand Coulee Dam American Legion Auxiliary and the 8 & 40. After moving to the Coeur d'Alene/Hayden Lake area she was active in the League of Women Voters, Avondale Women's Golf groups, and the Community Concert Series board. Maxine played and instructed bridge for many years into her mid-90s.

She is survived by her youngest sister, Elizabeth Ownby of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and the family above.

Visitation was held noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.

A memorial Service was held following the graveside services at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, Hayden, Idaho.

Memorial contributions may be sent to either Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden Lake, ID  83835, or, the Church of the Nazarene, 4000 North 4th Street, Coeur d'Alene, ID  83815.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Maxine's online memorial at http://www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.