Carolyn 'Carol' Ann Crowe, 89
Carolyn Ann Crowe, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully July 8, 2024, at the age of 89 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
She was born Aug. 26, 1934, and lived a life marked by love, joy and a deep passion for her family and favorite pastimes. Carol was born to Lloyd and Mary Ethel Prather in Huntington Park, Calif. Carol grew up in Los Angeles and attended Washington High School, where she was a member of the cheer team and the Tri-Y Club. Carol shared her father’s stories from his time serving in WWI and his job during the Depression as an executive with Arden Farms Milk Company. Carol’s mother, Mary Ethel, was a stay-at-home mom who raised parakeets as a hobby and sold them for extra income. Carol was preceded in death by her brothers, Edwin and Douglas; as well as her sister, Betty Miller; her daughter, Vickie Lyn Crowe Teeter; and her granddaughter, Jill Carolyn Teeter.
Carol was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Carol was married to her husband, James Burchell Crowe, Esq., with whom she shared a remarkable 72 years of marriage. Their daily ritual of cocktails at 5 p.m. was a cherished tradition, symbolizing their enduring love and companionship. They met in September 1952 at a wedding reception in Beverly Hills, Calif. After a whirlwind romance, they married in December 1952 and began their beautiful life together.
Carol and Jim welcomed twin girls, Terry and Vickie Crowe, in 1953; their son, James Jr., in 1956; and their daughter, Patty, in 1961. Carol devoted her life to her family, finding immense joy in raising her children and later delighting in her role as a grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her kindness, unconditional support and loving nature left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She approached life with a rare blend of wisdom and grace, making friends wherever she went and touching many lives with her compassionate heart.
She had many hobbies, but thoroughly enjoyed golf. She won the Ladies Golf Championship at the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Course in 1968. She enjoyed participating in the Ladies 9-hole golf group at the Hayden Lake Country Club and even won the championship there. Carol also enjoyed water skiing on Hayden Lake and Snow Skiing at Schweitzer and Sun Valley. Later in life, she was an avid reader and would read three or more books a week.
Carol was passionate about travel, a love she generously shared with her family. As a graduation gift to each of her grandchildren, she gifted a trip to anywhere in the world of their choosing. These trips were treasured experiences that allowed her to create lasting memories with each grandchild, enriching their lives with adventure and personal connection.
Throughout her life, Carol was actively involved in her church, First Presbyterian in Coeur d’Alene, and many community organizations. Her contributions were a testament to her belief in giving back to the community and supporting those in need.
Carol worked for many years in the family land development business, Caravelle Corporation and the building business, Caravelle Homes. Carol helped to build residential homes, apartments, strip malls, and manufactured housing parks. She was a top-notch bookkeeper and property manager. Up to several days before she passed she balanced all accounts to the exact penny.
Carol and Jim bought a condo at Maui Kaanapali Villas in 1972, where Carol absolutely loved her friends and shared many magical moments with her husband, friends, and family.
One of the precious moments in her life was when she and Jim bought some Black Angus Cows and placed them with her cousin on her ranch in Benewah County. One of the cows died and left a calf also about to die. Carol brought the calf back to Dalton Gardens and went across the street and asked veterinarian Howard Lancaster how she could save it. He said he probably could not, but go to the Cenex and buy a bucket with a nipple and some milk supplement and feed the calf four or five times a day and keep it warm and dry in the barn. Carol did this and the calf thrived and was finally taken back to the ranch and every time Carol went to the ranch, the calf came to her and wrapped itself around her. She names the calf “Friend.”
Carol’s vibrant life and unwavering devotion to those she loved will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She is survived by her husband, James B. Crowe; her children, Terry McKernan, James Jr. and Patty McGinnis Romero (JB Romero); her grandchildren, Stephanie West (Donald), Chad Teeter (Rachel), Michael Hays (Cheryl), Amie Anderson, Esq. (Matt), Commander James R. Crowe, USN (Lindsay), Jamie Green (Robert Green, Esq.), Christina Crowe Michalosky (Jeremy), Alyssa Romero and Makena Mehringer (Lane); her great-grandchildren, Logan, Ellie and Kennedy Crowe; Ragan and Hadley West; Ryan Teeter; Owen, Evan and Bennett Anderson (triplets); Sawyer Hays; Sophia, Scarlett, Sam and Sullivan Green; Ian Michalowsky; and her great-great-grandchild, Taylor Teeter.
Her family will forever cherish her memory and the countless lessons she imparted. She walked a path of integrity and lived with a motto of, “It isn’t enough to ask what do you believe? But what difference does it make that you believe.”
The family will celebrate Carol’s life at a small family service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Canopy Village (formerly the Children’s Village) (1350 W. Hanley Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815) or Union Gospel Mission (P.O. Box 4066 Spokane, WA 99220) in honor of Carolyn’s legacy of love and community spirit.
Carolyn A. Crowe’s legacy of love, kindness and generosity will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for the light she brought into the lives of so many.
Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Carol’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
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