Floretta “Kay” Crabtree, 70, of 209-1/2 Hoffman Ave., Oil City, PA, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 8, in her home that she and her loving husband, Paul, shared since 1977; the home where they raised their four children. She was surrounded by her entire family. She had told her family prior to her departure that she was being greeted by her late sister, Nathalia, and angel babies, which brought her family great comfort.
Kay was born Dec. 18, 1946 in Oak Hill, Ohio in her family’s farm house, to the late Trevert and Ollie Garnett Whitt Crider. She was married March 31, 1965 to Paul M. Crabtree, who survives. She is survived by her children, Kimberly and Dale Evans, Paula Crabtree and Timothy Shawgo, Darrin Crabtree, Bryan and Angela Crabtree.
Also surviving are grandchildren, James Paul Finnecy, Erica Michelle Finnecy and Ian Sterling, Samantha Kaye Fesenmyer and Justin Merryman, Jacob Matthew Crabtree, Ryan William Finnecy, Joshua Robert Shawgo, Brandon Todd Crabtree, Trevor Alan Evans, Andrew William Shawgo, Lindsey Christine Crabtree, Alexander James Evans, Courtney Jean Crabtree, Kristina Michelle Crabtree, and Hunter Paul Crabtree; two great-granddaughters, Avalynne Grace Sterling and Addison Kyrsha Merryman; five sisters, Delphine Sheline of Oak Hill, OH, Joyce Constant of Mesa, AZ, Carol (Tom) Baker of Wellston, OH, Rita (Rodger) Adkins of Springfield, OH, and Marcella Crabtree of Athens, OH; one brother, Kent (Nancy Haas) Crider of Santa Fe, NM; a sister-in-law, Gail (Orville) French of Oak Hill, OH and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Nathalia Edwards and Jewel Jarrell.
Kay was a homemaker and an avid seamstress. Her family has been graced with so many beautiful handcrafted gifts through the years, which will be held near and dear to our hearts. She made dolls, bears, quilts, clothes, and Christmas stockings for all of her grandbabies. Kay enjoyed making candy for every holiday. She and her family enjoyed boating and fishing on Kinzua Dam and Chautauqua Lake and hand-feeding the chipmunks at their camp on Kibbe’s Island. She also loved reading, crossword puzzles, liquid embroidery, macrame’, and jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed playing the piano and loved music. She and her husband Paul enjoyed playing the keyboard together and her last recording was “The Rose.”
Per Kay’s request, there will be no visitation or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kay’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Venango County Humane Society.