Patricia Ann Crook

Patricia Ann Crook, 86, died September 15, 2011, at First Community Village Health Care Center. Born Feb. 14, 1925 in Flint, Michigan, to Madeline and Joseph LaLonde. She married David Crook, the love of her life, Feb. 15, 1947, after each of them finished serving their country in the Navy during WWII. She was a WAVE, stationed at the Coronado Naval Hospital, south of San Diego, CA. She achieved the rank of pharmacistΓÇÖs mate 2nd class. She had a strong commitment to serve and help, whether it was as a Cub Scout or Girl Scout leader or as a nurse. She deeply valued education. There was never a doubt that her children would go to college. After they had graduated, she, herself, completed a degree in nursing, then worked as an R.N. until her own elderly parents needed her more than her hospital patients. Always adventurous, she and Dave traveled to Hawaii, Europe and went on safari in Africa. After Dave retired, they set out on the first of three six-month trips to Alaska with their Airstream trailer, exploring the entire state: fishing its rivers and the ocean for salmon, flounder, haddock, and cod; harvesting Dungeness crabs; and dodging grizzly and black bears; They came home reluctantly each trip when the first snow dusted the mountain tops, just ahead of winter. She treasured many trips to the beach at Ocracoke, NC with her children and grandchildren. In addition to Dave, she is survived by her children: Sharon (Wayne) West; Pamela Crook Raines; Scott (Ingrid) Crook and Colleen (Greg Koltun) Crook; and seven grandchildren: Zach West, Kelsey Raines, Ben Raines, Davin Crook, Kirsten Crook, Alex Koltun and Stefan Koltun. Her first grandchild, Lauren Crook, died in 1984. Family and friends may gather Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 3-4:15 p.m. at the First Community Village Chapel, 1802 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH 43212. A memorial service will begin that afternoon at 4:30 p.m. A private interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, PatΓÇÖs family requests that donations be made in her memory to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by SOUTHWICK-GOOD & FORTKAMP FUNERAL CHAPEL. www.southwickfuneral.com