Catherine Johnson Crawford

Catherine Johnson Crawford, 86, of Meadville, died Thursday, March 8, 2001 at Meadville Medical Center following a period of declining health having been a patient of Wesbury United Methodist Community for the past year.

She was born in New York City, February 6, 1915, a daughter of F. Ernest and Kate H. Crawford Johnson.  She married the Rev. Dr. Arthur M. Crawford September 1, 1939 and he survives.

She was a 1932 graduate of Lincoln High School in New York City and a 1937 graduate of Randolph Macon Woman's College of Lunchburg, VA.  Prior to marriage she worked as church secretary at Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn, NY.  Once married, she assisted her husband as he pastored various churches in the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.  She was a member of the Stone United Methodist Church of Meadville, a Sunday School teacher of its Marriott Class and a member of its United Methodist Women.  She was also a former leader of various prayer groups and study groups at the church and the Meadville YWCA.

She was a member of the Philo Mathesian Club, Thesaurus Reading Club, former member of the YWCA Board of Directors, leader of the Faithlifters Fellowship Group at the YWCA, and a speaker for various community organizations and groups.  She was a prolific writer, authoring the books, "Passing Glances" in 1989, "Second Glance" in 1990, "Stories of Christmas" in 1991 and "Another Glance" in 1992.  She also authored various published short stories, magazine articles and a humorous column of the Stone Church weekly paper the "Messenger."

Survivors, in addition to her husband, include three daughters, Jean Luker (Ralph) of Atlanta, GA, Evelyn M. Crawford of Tallmadge, OH and Mary Ann Vrabel (Donald) of Meadville; two grandchildren, Anne C. Luker and Amanda E. Luker; and a niece.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward C. Johnson.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.