Jeffrey Crigler's Facebook post and replies:
My mother, Bettie Ann Crigler died peacefully in her home in Durham, North Carolina, on Friday, December 27th at the age of 83. She led a life in pursuit of mastery, as a wife and mother; as a diplomat and hostess for the United States; as weaver, jeweler, seamstress and fabric arts designer; as an entrepreneur; and as a passionate civic activist for progressive causes. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, their three children and three grandchildren.
Arrangements are being made for a memorial for Bettie and I will post them shortly. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
https://gorillafund.orgPlease share your thoughts, photos and remembrances of her on her memorial site here: Bettie-Ann-Crigler-Memorial
https://www.forevermissed.com/bettie-ann-crigler/aboutI was fortunate to be with Bettie when she died. I had arrived for a visit in Durham on Friday about 3 pm. I brought her an orchid and body cream for Christmas presents and she really appreciated them, perked up and was clearly engaged and happy. She had a last meal of soup and some ice cream.
Dad and I retired to have diner. During diner our caregiver said her breathing had become shallow. I went to her room and raised her bed. Her breathing was slow but steady. Then she took a big breath, as if diving into a pool.... and she was gone. It was about 7 pm.
In the Meditations, Marcus Aurelius thanks those he knew for what he inherited.
From my mother I received the desire to learn and acquire skills, with my hands, my senses and my mind. I learned to carefully practice skills in design, planning, construction and presentation. Just as she made beautiful weavings, jewelry, diplomatic receptions and civic organizations, so I have learned to build furniture, guitars, software systems, and business organizations by the grace of her gifts.
Mom: Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory!
Amen+
Kat Sarfati: I am sorry for your loss. I will pray for you all.
Fran Gardner-Smith: Jeff, your mom was beautiful! Thanks for sharing her story with us. Praying for you. And may she Rest In Peace.
Bryon Propst: I'm so sorry Jeff. Losing a Mother is heart-wrenching at any age. She sounded like a wonderful person.
Joni Jackson Langevoort: What a beautiful woman, and a lovely tribute. Sending hugs and prayers for peace to you and your family.
Jeffrey Crigler: Joni, You would have loved her. You kind of remind me of her... in you passions for doing what is right.
Joni Jackson Langevoort: No higher compliment. Peace, my friend.
Frederick Cox: So sorry for your loss
Randall Holbrook: I am so very sorry for your loss.
Barbara Everhart: Sending love to you and your family.
Nancy Homans: It sounds as though her memory is already a blessing. Thinking of you, Nellis and Robin as you grieve her passing.
Angela Lauria: Oh! I am so sorry to hear this. Your mom was such a lovely lady.
Kate Kominars: I’m truly sorry for your loss and glad that you were able to be with her.
Mary Ann Ritter Youn-Batten: My condolences for the loss of your dear mother.
Mike Brown: Lovely tribute, my deepest sympathies to you, Jeff.
Louise Armitage: A wonderful tribute, Jeff. I am so glad you were there with her.
Aastha Verma: Such an amazing life and so beautiful ❤️
David Aylward: Lovely tribute. I am sorry for your loss
Carol Colatrella: My sympathies on your loss. Your mother’s life is inspiring.
Dolly Mastrangelo: What a beautiful woman, Jeff. You are clearly her son.
William G. Salter: Jeffrey and Lauren, I am so sorry. She was a wonderful lady, and always very kind to me. My condolences to your whole family.
Skip Richards: A beautiful tribute Jeff. Thank you for these words and my sincerest condolences on your loss. I'm so glad we got to spend time with her during those final days, hearing her stories and seeing her perk up as she recounted stories of Diane Fossey. We will all miss her.
Art Bushnell: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What a wonderful tribute and so special you got to be with her.
Jean Carroll Kemp: Amen- May she rest in the peace of the light everlasting, Jeff. She clearly shone a bright light in her life.
Shanti Bhusan Sharma: Sorry for your loss Jeff . May she rest In Peace
Linda Leonard Dohme: My sincerest sympathies. What a gift to be with her when she passed. You and your family are in my prayers.
Meg Hargreaves: Touching words from a loving and grateful son. I’m sure she was incredibly proud of you. I’m so sorry for your loss, Jeff.
Mojdeh Ghiaie Raznahan: My deepest condolences to you and your family. May she Rest In Peace.
Sue Sujansky: A loving tribute. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Douglas Twigg: Beautiful tribute Jeff May her memory be a joy
Sundar Lakshmanan: Nicely written tribute to your beloved Mom, Jeff! May her soul Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences.
Ed Richards: Such a thoughtful and beautiful tribute to your dear mother, Jeff! She did love her family so much and was so proud of each of you!!
Ed Richards: That comment was written by Alice Richards, but I agree , love and condolences.
Tuwenia Grebowsky: Jeff, what a great mom you had. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Laura Horn: She left the finest kind of legacy, Jeff. I’m sorry for your loss and so glad that you had this woman of character and consequence in your life...and that she had you.
Deborah Luth Bedell: Our condolences, Jeff. She sounds like a lovely and very accomplished woman.
Kathy Kuhn Penny: What wonderful gifts your mother bestowed upon you. So very sorry for your loss
Michelle Marie Branigan: Jeff, this is one of the most beautiful tributes I've ever seen. My condolences on the loss of a remarkable woman.
Bevin Newman: I am sorry for your loss, Jeff. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute. Many prayers for peace and comfort.
Nancy Shuster: While I am sorry for your loss, I am happy, impressed and inspired by what she leaves behind and the spirit she leaves in this world. My sympathies to you and your family.
Susan Burk: Jeff, lovely tribute to your mom. What great gifts she passed down to you. And my, she was a gorgeous woman!
I’m sorry she’s no longer with you but she is certainly in you!
Ann Holtz: Our condolences Jeff. What a loving tribute.
Jo McDermott She’s beautiful! I’m sorry for your loss.
Eric Koefoot: So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful woman. God bless her - and your family at this difficult time.
Dean McCall: I remember her as a gracious lady. Glad she was your mom.
Michael A Huhn: A very great tribute to your mother.. Very sorry for your loss..