Sandra (Coyne) Crabb, 58
Sandra (Coyne) Crabb, 58, passed away Nov. 8, 2008, surrounded by family and friends at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, after a short but fierce battle with lung cancer.
After graduating from Madison West High School class of 1968, she worked for a time as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. In 1980, she met John Crabb in Sandpoint, Idaho, and they soon married at a ceremony in the Schweitzer Chapel.
Sandy moved to Anchorage from Sandpoint with her husband John in 1981, where they worked in the entertainment industry. In 1986, John and Sandy opened and operated the Mountain Dream Lodge at Garfield Bay, spending summers in Idaho and wintering in Alaska. They sold the business after three years and returned to Alaska in 1989 for the final time. After a successful career as a dancer, Sandy became a courier, a job that fit her wanderlust personality perfectly. Over the years she delivered materials for a travel agency, a flower shop and a messenger service until her illness overcame her ability to continue working.
She is survived in Anchorage by her husband, John Crabb; and son, Cory Crabb, 16; sisters, Pat Carlson (Dr. Jeffery) and Karen Kammer (Mark), of Minneapolis, Minn., and Sherrie Schwoegler (David); and brother John Coyne (Robin), of Madison, Wis. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Hedi Coyne of Madison.
A loving, devoted wife and mother, her greatest pleasure was watching her son Cory play baseball. She rarely missed a game, from "Coach Pitch" Little League, until her illness made it to difficult to attend the last few games of this 2008 American Legion season, she was always there to support the team. Those who knew and loved her independent ways understood the "path less traveled" was the freeway to adventure for Sandy. She was a traveler at heart with a fearless nature and boundless energy. For her, the phrase "you can't" really meant "just watch me!" Her presence on this earth will be dearly missed.
A memorial service was held Nov. 22 at Holy Cross Church in Anchorage. Donations may be made to Providence Home Hospice care, a service that truly exemplifies mankind's goodness.