Jan. 30, 1917-April 5, 2004

HERMISTON – A graveside service for Jean Munroe Crothers will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Hermiston Cemetery with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 700 W. Orchard Ave, in Hermiston.

Mrs. Crothers, 87, of Hermiston, the daughter of Presbyterian mission- aries, and widow of a Presbyterian minister, died Monday, April 5, 2004, in her sleep at Sun Terrace Assisted Living Community, her residence of the past year.

She was born in Japan on Jan. 30, 1917, to Presbyterian Missionaries, Lois Russell Munroe and the Rev. Harry Havener Munroe. She was the last surviving of six sisters.

The first 18 years of her life were spent in Japan and Korea, which were the source of many stories for those who knew her in later years. Her father instilled in her a lifetime love of God.

She graduated from Beaver College at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1939.

On Memorial Day 1942, she married Samuel D. Crothers, an Navy chaplain and Presbyterian minister, and was a supportive partner in his ministry. Together they served in many parts of the country, including San Diego, Honolulu, Kansas City, Mo., San Antonio, San Francisco, Portland, Dumas, Texas, and “finally here beside the beautiful Columbia River in North Central Oregon.” She was said to have had a flair for making each of their many homes reflective of the gracious and interesting lady she was.

Mrs. Crothers loved to travel and was able to cover all 50 states, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. Her love of wild flowers led them to present programs, using her husband’s slides, for schools, church groups, garden clubs, Rotary and other civic groups. Her many interests included owls, Indian baskets, dogs, local history, and covered bridges

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Catherine Hodges of Birmingham, Ala., and her brothers-in-law, Jack Gaw of Laurinburg, N.C. and Pat Hobson of Durham, N.C.; many nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at Faith Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1088, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.