Barbara A Crandall

December 3, 1944 - December 31, 2023 Barbara Ann Crandall Barbara Ann was born in Glendale, California, on December 3, 1944, to parents Martha May (Burdick) and Nonnie Bledsoe Williams. Nonnie, Martha, Barbara, and her older sister Susan moved to Colton, Oregon in 1949, where Barbara attended elementary school, before moving to Portland. Barbara graduated from Franklin High School in 1962 and graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She met William Vernon Crandall while both worked at Meier & Frank’s in downtown Portland, and the two were married in 1967. At this time Barbara met and became a second mother to Bill’s 4-year-old daughter Debbie (Deborah Joy) of Washington. Barbara and Bill moved to Lincoln City shortly thereafter. Daughter Mindy Suzan Crandall was born at North Lincoln Hospital in 1973. Barbara, Bill, and Mindy moved to Otis in 1978, and Barbara joined Lincoln County School District in Newport as a data processor and computer systems analyst. Bill preceded her in death in 1990. She retired from LCSD in 1999, where, in keeping with the themes in this obituary, she eschewed the typical retirement gift and instead, asked everyone to contribute to the food bank instead. In 1990, Jerry Warner made “the best decision of my life” when he called her up to see if she wanted to go get coffee. They remained happy partners for the remaining 33 years of her life and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren became part of her family, just as Bill’s first daughter and her subsequent children and grandchildren did. Family, music, and community were defining features of Barbara’s life. Music infused her home life and Barbara played piano from a young age. Soon after arriving in Lincoln City, she joined the Congregational Church of Lincoln City, and was a member the remaining 48 years of her life. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, accompanied the choir on both piano and organ, and served on various boards and committees (including as treasurer and helping organize the annual Holiday Bazaar). The church and her fellow members were a huge part of her community and her support network. Of particular note was her support of Peace Village for many years. She helped fundraise, organize activities, and fed countless campers, counselors, and teachers. Community was also evident in her dedication to volunteering. She was part of an all-volunteer team that developed “Saturdays”, a weekly dance and game club for teenagers. For that effort, she was awarded the Lincoln City Community Involvement award in 1990. Following her retirement, she became very active in local meals programs, purchasing, cooking, and serving food for more than 20 years! She participated in and supported several local efforts to further arts, culture, and youth in Lincoln County, including the Siletz Bay Music Festival, the Backpack program, Angels Anonymous, the B’nai Brith Camp, and many others. She was twice given a Superintendent’s award at LCSD, a volunteer award from Taft Middle School, and was Lincoln City’s Woman of the Year in 2012. Barbara loved life and never failed to see the good (and the humor) in every person, situation, or event. Some people have rose-colored glasses; she had bulletproof bright pink googles. In addition to loving music, she read voraciously; loved silly movies, plays, and musicals; loved doing crosswords, Sudoku and logic puzzles; and loved playing games, particularly ones with words. Barbara’s time with pancreatic cancer was short and swift. She died at home surrounded by loved ones on December 31, 2023. Barbara Crandall is survived by her partner of 33 years, Jerry Warner of Lincoln City; sister Susan Van Winkle of Portland (with husband Lewis and children Rob, Doug, Jill, and Katie); her daughter, Mindy Crandall (with spouse JP Kaesermann of Corvallis); and grandsons John Crandall (and partner Hanna McIntosh of Madison, Wisconsin) and Theo Vache of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. She is also survived by her extensive extended family: Debbie Sanders of Everett, Washington; her children Skyler Sanders and Shaunise Phelps (with husband Dan and children Hazel and Elias); Paul and Terri Warner of Montana; Mandel and Renee Warner of Culver, Oregon; their children Sam Buckley (with husband Jesse) and Michelle Vorhees (with husband Kurt and son Henry); Rory Warner of Alsea; and his children Amanda Gray (with husband Kevin and children Kenzie and Jaxson) and Jered Warner. Barbara’s family, friends, and community will miss her greatly. A memorial service will be held Saturday February 3rd at 1pm at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, with a celebration of life reception immediately following. Following Barbara’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Habitat for Humanity, the Lincoln City Food Pantry, Family Promise, or another local organization that is working to make the world a better place – as she did, her whole life.

Tributes

Barbara A Crandall

December 3, 1944 - December 31, 2023