Mildred Almina Woods Crawford died February 22nd, 2006 at home at the age of 89. She was born to Nina Amanda Gregg and Marion David Woods on April 27th, 1916 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mildred attended school in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Roosevelt High School. One of her greatest joys in high school was playing the flute and piccolo in the marching band. She was a business college graduate and a certified secretary. She also attended college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Co, and Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While in college she joined Chi Omega Sorority.

Her mother taught English at Drake University and her father was a prominent attorney and bank president in Des Moines. They had six children, Mildred was the oldest, then Marion David Woods Jr. deceased of Ventura, Ca, Robin who died at age 1 ½, Phyllis Miller of Richland, Robert Woods deceased of Portland, Or, and Richard Rick Woods also of Richland.

Mildred was working as a secretary for her father when she read an advertisement for workers on the Manhattan Project in Hanford, Washington. She came to Pasco in the spring of 1944 and worked in the Grey Building processing people coming and going to work on the project. At that time she met a young woman, Margaret Koleber from St. Paul, Minnesota, with whom she shared a government trailer and they became life long friends. Margaret still resides in Richland. Mildred entertained her friends by playing the flute and piccolo and showing slides pictures.

In 1946 she was assigned an “A” house to live in while she was working at Hanford. In 1949, she met Bill Crawford while working at the B plant in the chemical separation-processing unit. They were married on January 20th, 1950 at Central United Protestant Church during one of the coldest winters on record.

Mildred is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bill Crawford, and her two sons, Gregory Nancy and Douglas Marion.

Mildred was a beautiful and talented woman. She was a good photographer and accomplished artist. She loved sewing, making clothes, rag dolls, and ceramic dolls for friends and family. One of her favorite activities was corresponding. She was a wonderful cook. She never found fault or criticized anyone. Mildred and Bill were long time members of West Side Church where she was the wedding reception hostess for 14 years and was a member of Miriam Circle.

Mildred’s greatest legacy was her caring for friends, who didn’t have near-by family, after the loss of a spouse. She had a kindness, gentleness, and generosity that was unequalled.

Mildred was a beautiful woman who will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 27, 2006 at Einan’s Funeral Home, with entombment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Richland. Visitation will be 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm Sunday the 26th, also at Einan’s.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 557 Roy St. Lower Level, Seattle, WA 98109; or to the charity of one’s choice.