Carolyn B. Craske's Obituary
Craske, Carolyn B., 80 of Largo, died Thursday, January 21st 2016 after battling a second occurrence of cancer. She was born September 17th, 1935 in Chicago Heights, IL, graduating from Crete-Monee High School in 1953. She was quite active in swimming and leadership roles throughout high school and worked as a life guard at Lincolnshire Country Club.
She was the daughter of Ralph C. & Grace Jones. She was the oldest of three sisters – survived by Judith Jones of Largo, FL and Susan McCully of Crete, IL.
She attended the University of Illinois, becoming President of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated in 1957 with B.S. in Home Economics / Nutrition. This was the beginning of a lifetime connection to the sorority, serving in leadership roles with various alumnae groups for the rest of her life.
She married W. Don Craske, Jr. D.O. in 1957, eventually settling in Crete, IL, and worked at the Wheat Flour Institute for many years developing recipes and early testing on microwave cooking. She gave birth to two sons: W. Don Craske III, D.O. in May 1959 and Andrew Craske in Feb 1964.
In 1970, the family relocated to Dallas, OR, where her husband set up a general surgery practice and assumed a leadership role at Polk County hospital. Carolyn ran the medical practice and took advantage of the outdoors going snow skiing and camping with the family, as well as bowling, golfing and playing bridge. She attended Dallas United Methodist Church, where she served as youth counselor and in other leadership roles.
The family relocated again in 1978 to Seminole, FL, where Dr. Craske became an investor/owner of University General Hospital. Carolyn continued to run the medical practice and was active with several charitable organizations, joining the choir at Anona United Methodist Church, as well as bowling, golf and playing bridge.
After obtaining a Masters of Public Administration in 1988, she was selected to the President’s Scholar Internship Program, serving a 2 year rotation in Washington D.C. before settling down in Fairfax, VA and taking a position a financial analyst with the Department of Health & Human Services.
She retired from Federal employment in 1997 to move back to Florida to be close to her grandchildren: Alexandria Craske, Samantha Craske & Jamieson Craske. Her retirement was chronicled in a newspaper article on recent federal retirees. You may copy and paste the following link into your internet browser to read the newspaper article.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1998/08/03/a-federal-employee-retires-part-iii/41509e1c-96af-4d40-b6ee-a48eca52639a/
Back in Florida – she became more involved with Anona UMC, rejoining the choir and becoming a staff member. She continued to participate in various charitable organizations, sorority alumnae groups, became active in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (N.A.R.F.E) and joined the Red Hat Society. She also continued to bowl, play bridge, play golf and travel. She relished the opportunity to watch her grandchildren grow, participate in school activities and play sports – where she was always in the stands - and provide them much love and wisdom. She was a “die hard” Tampa Bay Rays fan and season ticket holder. She recently celebrated her 80th Birthday with a large group outing to a home game.
Carolyn lived a full and purposeful life. She will be missed for the way she carried herself and set an example for others to follow, her counsel on all things - big or small, the words of encouragement and support, her dedication to her faith, serving others and most of all – being a loving friend, daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.
A “Celebration of Carolyn” will be held Sunday, February 14th from 1pm – 3pm at Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Rd, Largo, FL 33774. All are invited to come share with the family in remembrance.
In lieu of flowers – the family is requesting donations be made in Carolyn’s name at any of the following: the Anona UMC Choir (727) 595-2581; the Anona UMC Prayer Quilt Program (727) 595-2581; or the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation (813) 623-4703.
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