Obituary of Virginia Ann Crowder

Virginia Ann (Schmidt) Crowder was born on July 7, 1943 in Washington, Missouri, a place that has always been near and dear to her, and where she still has many close friends. As the only child to Ted and Edith Schmidt, she enjoyed a wonderful life where she developed a love of nature, cooking, church, playing with her cousins, and the many other peacefull benefits of a small mid-west town.

Upon graduating from Washington High School, Ginny attended the University of Missouri in Colombia. While attending MU she was an office assistant for the dean of Engineering and developed several friendships with whom she remained close all her life. Also during this time, she met her heart-throb from another small Missouri town, her husband Ken.  Ken and Ginny married on August 21, 1965 and began a 55 year partnership of wonderful adventures and special family times.  Ginny taught 1st grade in Missouri and Virginia before moving to Alice Springs, Australia, and then back to Washington DC.  There, in 1972, their first child, Elizabeth Annette was born two years later they moved to Bellevue, Washington where they lived ever since, and where their son Brian Edward was born in 1978. Ginny was an incredible mother, and loved every moment of it. When Liz and Brian were a bit older, she returned to the world of teaching at Newport Presbyterian Church Fishpond Preschool, which brought her much joy for another 17 years before retiring.

Throughout her life, Ginny was dedicated to her Christian faith, shared love generously with others, and brought joy and happiness to everyone she touched. Ginny loved spending time tending to her beautiful flowers, reading, and cooking and was always eager to connect with her many friends.  Some of her most exciting memories were of her travels to over 35 countries with Ken, as he loved to show his “honey” the world. Her other deep joy throughout her most recent 22 years was being “Mimi” to her five grandchildren, of whom she completely adored and cherished. This moment would not be complete without loud praises to her team at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, who helped Ginny fight the good fight and gave her 3 1/2 more years of life after her diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in February of 2017. It is with heart-break for us, but deep praise and joy for her comfort and peace above, that we send Ginny off to her most deserved reward in heaven. God bless you friends and family ,we hope you smile when remembering the blessing of sharing life with our sweet Mom-Wife-Mimi! 

*Tribute gifts in Ginny's memory please consider:

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, hematology department research:

https://tinyurl.com/y5ajwkvr 

or:

Safe Families for Children of Monterey Bay -the non-profit Liz works for that supports families in crisis to prevent child abuse and neglect, of which Ginny loved: 

https://safefamilies.funraise.org/fundraiser/safe-families-of-monterey-bay