February 29, 1928 — August 2, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Bep Crawford on August 2, 2023.

She passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Bep is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Marv Crawford.

She will be dearly missed by her children Murray (Ann), Anne (Barry), her grandchildren, Leah (Ryan), Mark (Kathleen), Michael (Erica), Daniel (Stephanie), and Patrick (Alex) and her 4 Great Granddaughters, Reese, Diem, Mae, Violet, and her niece Else Smith.

Bep was born in Amsterdam, Holland February 29, 1928. She was 15 years old during the 2nd world war when she went underground to serve in the Dutch resistance as a courier.

In 1947, Bep came to Canada as a War Bride at the age of 18 on the Queen Mary to be by the side of her first husband Leo Morris. Mom was left widowed at the age of 22 and settled in Kamloops where she worked as a nursing assistant and then as the head seamstress in Tranquille, a Tuberculosis hospital. During this time, she met and married Marvin Crawford, and shortly there after was joined by two children Murray and then Anne.

Bep volunteered for the Hospital Auxiliary, which she joined in 1965, and for the Hospital Thrift Cellar. She worked for Kamloops United Church as a wedding and funeral host for many years. Bep always believed in giving of her time to help others. Even after she moved to Kamloops Seniors Village, she became the volunteer greeter, helping new residents to feel at home.

Mom was an extraordinarily strong woman. Having personally experienced the suffering of war, she was an anti-war advocate throughout her life, speaking to schools on Remembrance Day and she gave many interviews, some which can still be found on You Tube. She always stood up for her rights and rights of others. Her warm personality and giving nature were embraced by many.

In their retirement years, Mom and Dad loved to travel and created many joyful and wonderful memories with their best friends, Jim and Janet Ashby.

With sincere gratitude, the family would like to thank those that cared for her at Kamloops Seniors Village and Pinegrove Seniors Community.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Auxiliary or Kamloops United Church

A funeral will be held at Kamloops United Church on Saturday, August 12th @ 11 am.

You may offer a message of condolence at Schoening Funeral Service for the Crawford family.

• Date : 2023-08-02
• Location : Kamloops