MONTE VISTA — Longtime Meeker resident, Margaret Ann Crawford, died peacefully Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, at the Walbridge Wing in Meeker surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law, after a long battle with bladder issues and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. She was 88.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date.
Margaret Ann Parkes was born the daughter of George Edward and Nellie Ardell (Warren) Parkes April 14, 1931, in a little white house on the corner of West Garfield Street. That house stills stands, only it is brown now, with a porch added. She grew up on the ranch up Flag Creek, and in the winter lived in the same house she was born in. Margaret attended schools in Meeker, graduating from Meeker High School with the Class of 1950.
Following her high school graduation, four days later, Margaret married the love of her life, Boyd William “Bill” Crawford May 28, 1950, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. To this union, three children were born. Bill and Margaret enjoyed spending time on the Crawford Ranch located 7 miles up Strawberry Creek. Margaret worked hard on the ranch/farm to make it a success. She also worked for a time at A. Oldland & Company. They resided on the ranch until moving to Monte Vista, Colorado, in 1968 when Bill accepted a job with the Colorado Potato Growers as a potato salesman and Margaret accepted a job at the local bank. They later moved to Winnemucca, Nevada, where Margaret worked as the Clerk of the District Court. The Crawfords moved to Greeley, Colorado, in 1986 where Margaret worked at Bedingfield law office, and was active with the Greeley Assistance League (Bargain Box).
Bill and Margaret later moved back to Meeker in 2012, then in 2013 to Castle Rock to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. The couple returned to Meeker in July 2016.
Margaret enjoyed bowling, belonging to the Colorado Women’s Bowling Association, was a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church and PEO. She was an excellent cook, seamstress and won Grand Champion at the fair two years ago for her custom jewelry artwork, made into the shape of Christmas trees.
Above all, Margaret was a devoted wife to Bill and loving mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Margaret is survived by one daughter Linda (Joseph) Manzanares of Castle Rock, Colorado; sons Mike Crawford of Greeley, Colorado, and Bob Crawford of Florida; grandsons Eric (Tera) Manzanares of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and John (Katie) Manzanares of Castle Rock, Colorado; five great-grandchildren Brady, Avery, Marlowe, Jace and Owen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Margaret is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Naomi Parkes of Sun Lakes, Arizona; Willetta Stanton of Lakewood, Colorado; Patsy Porter of Texas; Arlene (Don) Niles of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters: Mary (died at the age of 2), Elizabeth Dunham, Dorothy Bloomfield and Norma Oldland; one brother, Tom Parkes; and her husband of 68 years, Bill Crawford.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Margaret’s memory to St. James Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 641, Meeker, Colorado, 81641
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Williams and the wonderful staff at the Wing, for taking such excellent, loving care of Margee and Bill.