Remembering Amy Crabtree

November 13, 2009
by Sue Meany and Kent Thomas

As a community, we lost a very special person with the passing of Amy Crabtree who faced a 19 month battle with brain cancer with courage, strength and tenacity. Those of us who were lucky enough to have known her mourn the loss, but we are remembering what she meant to us and the incredibly positive impact she had on our lives.

Amy and John Crabtree, proprietors of Crabtree’s Kittle House, were soul mates for 37 years. Their incredible love for each other was inspirational. Even when working together, they always treated each other with respect. This is a quality which sometimes becomes so difficult for those of us couples who work together. 

Amy gave much time and energy to helping others. As a nurse, she healed and comforted.  In her personal life, she gave of herself to many charities. She has inspired many by her generous acts of kindness. Through Amy and John’s example, we have become involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as several other charities, a journey which has made us richer, more fulfilled individuals.

Amy led life at a frenetic pace, and seemed to experience more out of life than anyone we have known. Her energy and enthusiasm for each day’s tasks were boundless. She had a gift for finding humor in almost any situation. Her laughter was a cure for the blues. Life seemed a bit easier each time we laughed along with her.

We spent many hours over many years working with Amy to decorate the Kittle House for the holidays. Much of the time was peppered with Amy’s laughter, even during the most tedious activities such as unearthing prior year’s decorations from the vast attic, planning new, fresh looks for the current year and untangling countless yards of Christmas lights.

Amy was one of the few people who did not judge us for rescuing possibly a few too many stray cats from our backyard, a wayward muskrat, a weakened homing pigeon, skunks and a raccoon in labor. She would have done the same, as was shown by her many animal rescues, often nursing sick animals back to health. Her love for animals was legendary, and the Crabtree menagerie was bountiful with dogs, cats, rabbits and horses.

From the moment we met Amy, we were warmed and welcomed by her smile. Her warmth and compassion were evident in every encounter with her. Amy always had time to listen, and to offer support and advice. In one of our greatest times of need, the decline of Sue’s mother, Margaret,  and her death, Amy provided advice and comfort. We were so moved that, despite their incredibly busy schedules, Amy and John attended Margaret’s funeral to offer prayers and support.

We’ll remember Amy often, with a warm memory and a smile. Because we knew her, we try to take a little more time to laugh, to help others as she would have done, and try not to take each other or anyone else for granted.

Sue Meany and Kent Thomas

Sue Meany and Kent Thomas are professional floral decorators who worked over many years helping Amy decorate the Kittle House. www.cheshiretree.com

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