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Mary (True) Crawford was born on May 9, 1926 to Dr. Herbert and Ruth True in San Francisco, CA. At that time Dr. True was serving as the Assistant Health Officer for the City of San Francisco. Mary had one sibling, Dr. Arnold True now deceased. When Mary was four the family moved to Sacramento, where Dr. True was employed as the city Health Officer. Mary attended public schools and graduated from Sacramento High School in 1944, as an outstanding student. She was also very involved in a variety of school activities and served as Student Body Secretary. Upon graduation Mary received a special award of "Great Distinction". Encouraged by her mother, Ruth True, Mary was very involved in youth activities at Fremont Presbyterian Church. As a high school junior, she accepted the Lord Jesus as her savior at a special evangelical program conducted by David Cowie. The next year Mary was attracted to a youth program called "Christian Endeavor (CE) at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Mary was privileged to attend the state convention of CE held in Visalia that spring. Not only was this a key part in her Christian growth, but it was there she met her future husband. The summer before entering college Mary was introduced for the first time to Mt. Hermon Conference Center by attending a CE camp where she heard some outstanding Bible teachers and was further led in her Christian faith. Mary received an AA degree from Sacramento City College, while involved in art, education, school offices and hosting a weekly bible study at her home. Then she received a BA from San Jose State with honors and a K-Primary Teaching Credential. Both colleges saw Mary very active in Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, during this time she served on summer staff at Mount Hermon for two years. Following graduation Mary and James M. Crawford were the first couple married in the new chapel at Mount Hermon. She began her teaching career at College Park Elementary in the San Jose Unified School District. She taught for 5 years and received a California Life Credential. Her husband Jim was also a teacher and principal for 38 years. During that time, Mary may have set a record attending the most Senior Balls as a chaperone. Mary and Jim resided in the San Jose - Los Gatos area for fifty years, and raised 3 children, two boys, Mike and Jere, and a daughter, Sandy. Mary had a lifelong love of art; several of her paintings hang in their home. When Mt Hermon held their 50th anniversary in 1956, Jim was appointed Redwood camp director and once again Mary was spending summers at Mt Hermon, only now with two toddlers in diapers. Some favorite Crawford clan memories include: backpacking/camping trips, numerous ski trips and weekends at the beach, summers at Mount Hermon and Scout Camp. For many years Mary was busy teaching, hosting, or attending bible classes. In retirement years, Mary and Jim moved first to the Villages in San Jose then later to Lincoln Hills. While living at the Villages, she became an avid golfer, even scoring a hole-in-one beating her husband to this feat. The Lord led them to Lincoln Hills where they helped start a new church - Lincoln Hills Community Church. While in Lincoln, Mary was instrumental in promoting and administrating Operation Christmas Child, a Franklin Graham program. In their retirement years, Mary enjoyed cruises, camping, RV'ing, golfing, and skiing with her husband before moving to Covenant Village of Turlock in 2010, where she became an active member of the Covenant Church of Turlock. Empowered by Mary’s faith, positive attitude, and Jim’s support, she amazed everyone by her recovery from a broken neck in 2013. Mary is survived by her husband Jim of 66 years; son and wife Mike and Kathy; son and wife Jere and Barbie; daughter and husband Jeff La Plante. She also has five grandchildren: Paul, Kim, Justin, Josh and Katy. A memorial service will be held in Berg Hall at Covenant Village of Turlock on Saturday May 2, 2015 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Hermon, http://www.mounthermon.org/, Turlock Covenant Church, or the CVOT Benevolent Fund

Tributes

Mary True Crawford

May 9, 1926 - April 13, 2015