A memorial service for Kathryn S. Crawford, the wife of former Instructor in History Robin L. Crawford and a former Phillips Academy house counselor, took place this past Saturday at Christ Church in Andover. Mrs. Crawford passed away on June 29 at age 64 after a battle with cancer. During Mrs. Crawford’s memorial service, retired Protestant Chaplain Philip Zaeder offered a recollection of her life. In addition to describing Mrs. Crawford’s love of teaching, Rev. Zaeder mentioned how Mrs. Crawford’s incredible hospitality endured even from her hospital bed, where she would receive friends and family with warmth and kindness. In the long-standing tradition of Christ Church, the steeple bells tolled 64 times in honor of the number of years of Mrs. Crawford’s life. The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Mrs. Crawford first arrived at the Academy in 1971 after her husband was named Dean and Director of Summer Session. For the next 27 years, she taught English and Reading in five of Andover’s public schools, sharing her love of writing and literature with students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Several Phillips Academy day students were fortunate enough to have Mrs. Crawford as a teacher at Doherty Middle School. Chris Herlich ’05, who was in one of Mrs. Crawford’s eighth grade English classes, described Mrs. Crawford as “very kind, always generous and helpful.” Mrs. Crawford was also a strong presence on the Academy campus, serving alongside her husband as a house counselor in Smith House, Stimson West, Bishop North, and Nathan Hale before moving into a private home on School Street. Mrs. Crawford’s hospitality and generosity were also legendary. Former Director of College Counseling Marion Finbury recalled in the Andover Bulletin, “Katie…was a gracious, interested host for innumerable dinners.” In recognition of her devotion to her students, Mrs. Crawford was honored with Andover’s “Unsung Hero Award” at the town’s Founder’s Day celebrations, months before her death. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Crawford leaves behind son Jonathan ’85, of Ketchum, Idaho, daughter Elizabeth ’87 of Portland, Oregon, and grandson Kai.
