Laura Crawford Obituary

I miss you so much, Aunt Laura. I´m glad I found this page so I could remember you so fondly all over again. Rest in peace.

I still think of you all the time, Laura. Every time I open my message apps, I see all our long chats that I´ve kept. You were hilarious! I really miss you.

Your beautiful spirit remembered and honored Laura

Thinking of Laura´s beautiful inspirations and welcoming ways - our world needs her many examples of kindnesses to remember and live by.

Laura worked with my son with reading when he was at Sleepy Hollow Elementary. I remember her bright, kind personality, she made a very positive impact on my son and for that we are very grateful. I’m sure the loss has not gotten easier but I hope it helps that people she has touched will never forget her.
God bless,
Jennifer Catalanotto

I want to share this story with Laura's family and friends. My daughter just graduated from Aurora University and will start her first teaching job in just a few weeks in Aurora. She is a third grade bilingual teacher. We had the good fortune of stopping by an estate sale that was being handled by Laura's sister Linda. Linda ended up donating many of Laura's items to help my daughter set up her first ever classroom. After conversations with Linda and friends that were helping with the sale and now reading the posts dedicated to Laura, I too am saddened by the loss of a super energetic, dedicated teacher. I would like you all to know her legacy will still touch hundreds of children into the future and help a young teacher, who is also so passionate about reading, begin her career. We are honored to be recipients of not only supplies, but to have been touched by this amazing person we never got to meet. A piece of her lives on through my daughter and with children who will continue to be taught with Laura's books and the love of reading that is evident in all the materials that Linda shared with my daughter. It feels like Laura somehow sent us to her house last Saturday so she could help my daughter. I didn't know her, but I can tell Laura would have done anything to help a new teacher. Linda and family, we are so sorry for your loss and at the same time so grateful for your generosity. I know my daughter will be the kind of teacher that would make Laura proud.

I am stunned and saddened to learn just now of Laura's passing. My heart is weeping. Her spirit such a joy to be around - so very kind. her unending gifts of sensitive thoughtfulness. She had a way of making everyone feel so special...a bright shining light to so many of us. My deepest sympathies to Laura's dear family.

We remember "Miss Crawford" when she taught our children at Sleepy Hollow School many years ago, and are very saddened to hear the news about her passing. Our thoughts go out to the Crawford family, along with all the dear friends and students who are mourning this huge loss.

I WAS TOUCHED BY LAURA'S SPIRIT.

We are so saddened by Miss Crawford's passing. She taught both my sons at Sleepy Hollow and led the gifted program at Dundee Highlands. She was one of the sweetest teachers and loved what she did. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family.
The Strumberger Family

Ms. Crawford was one of my daughter's favorite teachers while in elementary school (she just started college this year) and she really instilled a love of reading in her. She was a wonderful role model and her smile lit up the whole room. We have an autographed copy of her first published book and were so proud of her, she will be sorely missed and the world lost a beautiful person, our family will always remember her.

Often times, we look for answers as to why something so bad can happen to someone so good, so full of life, so kind, so caring and so happy to be alive. And as many of us know, we don't usually find those answers until much later in life - if ever.

Ironically, I am not able to make Laura's wake today because I have a Theology exam (I am a senior at Marquette University and former second and third grade student of Laura's). This exam will test me on my knowledge of the spirit: whether it exists as material or immaterial, whether or not it is one in the same as God's spirit, and how our spirits supposedly move on from our physical bodies and into the heaven.

For those of you who are not over religious (like myself), I don't look to provide you with an answer. But what I can say is that, yes. The spirit exists. It moves on. There's something bigger than our presence here on earth. Ancient, ancient readings from Paul, the Old Testament, Philo and the Stoics all suggest that when we reach a "virtuous life" we are rewarded with the presence of God. I believe Laura lived a virtuous life and that she was rewarded. That's the only explanation I can give. Her spirit was too big, too loving and too precious for our world. She's in the place we are all destined to end up. She just beat us to it.

Congratulations on a beautiful life, Mrs. Crawford. Like my father, you were among the best. I will think of you always. Rest in peace.

So very sorry to hear of Miss Crawford's passing, every student at Sleepy Hollow including my son adored her, she is in God's arms now.

To the Crawford Family,
Laura made a significant impact in our Son Tyler's life and he is devastated by your loss. We all remember a few teachers/ mentors in our life and I am very thankful that she was that person to Ty. She also, through her engagement with our kids and staying in their lives, became a friend to my wife. A very special person and the world's a better place for having her in it. Our deepest sympathies to your family and gratitude for sharing her with our kids.

When someone passes and they carry a resume such as yours into Heaven, I bet you get a fast pass! We, who are left on earth, must grab onto and carry forward the wonderful way you loved and cared for others. You have inspired and remain a beautiful inspiration that we all need to look around at the beauty in this life and not sweat the small stuff. I thank you for that Laura and I will miss one of my best Facebook buddies!! It was so fun making each other laugh at the small stuff. The Cubs have another angel in the outfield!

My son Vince had you in 1st grade for extra help with reading and with your love and passion, he flourished. I could tell you loved what you did and that is a gift for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you! Your book "In Arctic Waters" is my son's favorite book to read! You will be missed!

Laura you will be truly missed by all. I feel so lucky to have been your teaching partner and friend. You are now smiling with the angels. Peace.

Though many years have past since our SHS days, we will always remember your kindness, love of the students, & your smile!

Laura,
You are now at peace. You will forever be in my heart and sorely missed.

To know such a wonderful, inspiring, witty, comical, kind, thoughtful person has been a gift, to call her a friend has been a blessing! Laura was such a special person. She was a great friend, a wonderful teacher and an awesome person to teach along side of. Laura always lent a helping hand, told a great story, or did something to make everyone laugh! It's not the same at Sleepy Hollow without her. My heart aches for you, Laura's family; I can't imagine how devastating this is for you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will keep Laura forever in my heart! I miss her dearly.

Laura Crawford you will be missed! You were a wonderful teacher, colleague, and friend. Your smile and giggle will be with me always!

Whether you knew her as Laurie, Miss Crawford, Laura, or LC as her college friends called her -- we are all lucky to have been a part of this wonderful person's life.

We'll miss you LC!

The world lost of beautiful human being. You will be surely missed!

I had no idea that Ms. Crawford was ill. She was my daughter, Allyson Metz's favorite teach. She will definitely be heartbroken to learn of her passing. My daughter absolutely loved Ms Crawford and will remember her always as her favorite teacher.

"Miss Crawford," as I've always known her, stands out as one of the best teachers I've ever had. She came to my birthday party when I was in her second grade class, which is just one of many examples of how she went above and beyond to connect with students. I will always cherish memories of her class and her kindness, and my heart is with your family during this difficult time.

Laura will always be a part of my life through my writing and determination to continue to write even though she is gone. I love you, Kimberly

You were such a great teacher at Sleepy Holllow Elementary. I miss you a lot. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher.

Dear Crawford Family,

I am so sorry to learn of Laura's passing. She was a very special person in my former foster daughter Jenny's life. Her care and concern for Jenny always touched me. To say that Laura went above and beyond would be an understatement. She will be greatly missed by our family. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Rhiannon and Herbie Torres and Jenny Diaz

Laura touched so many students, but anyone that met her was touched by her. Such an amazing person! Your beautiful smile will keep shining thru everyone you touched. Peace to you and your family.

You were always a special person to my mom...I know how much she loved working with you at Highlands. It was so nice running into you a couple years back when you were a guest reader at Highland' s literacy night, and I was able to introduce my Emily to you. May you be at peace, God's Blessings to your family.

Laura faced her days with a brave heart and a sweet soul. In the brief time that I cared for her I knew she was special. Strength and hugs to her ever-present sister and friends. You did a great job of advocating and loving. Rest in peace, Laura.

Laura, I miss you like you wouldn't believe and I will always remember your voice, your smile and your friendship. Thinking of your family and many friends at this time.