Carla Curo Crawford

In devoted and loving memory of Carla Curo Crawford, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 25, 2014, at home in Sonoma at the age of 85. Born, Carla Ann Perkins, into a family of musicians on June 12, 1928, in San Francisco, Carla was infused with the beauty, vitality and diversity of the city. She attended Polytechnic High and then City College of San Francisco where she met and married her first husband, William H. Tannewitz, followed by the birth of her only child and daughter, Dean Tannewitz. While Carla lived in several locations around the Bay Area, Sacramento, Hollywood and Crescent City, her roots were in Sonoma where she spent much time with her grandparents, the Weghofer’s, helping out at their small El Verano restaurant and watching or performing with her parents and their own small band at the likes of Little Switzerland. Carla returned to Sonoma 30 years ago where she lived with her husband, Ronald Fair Crawford, and in close proximity to her daughter.

Carla lived a vibrant and colorful life, filled with adventure, music and art. Her many careers attest to her innate interest in all things including people. She was a model, a dance teacher, a gifted actress and singer who sang with Nat King Cole. She had stints as a disc jockey, a deputy sheriff, and worked for the Bureau of Farm Labor as well. She loved to travel and accompanied her husband Ron, throughout the state of California where she found joy in the natural beauty of living in a house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Crescent City or hiking Bliss State Park at Lake Tahoe or living in Susanville where she and Ron walked the dogs in the snow each day. Beauty and talent were hallmarks of her life whether it was in the music she sang and listened to or the flowers she surrounded herself with or the art she created. She had a keen sense of design and loved beautiful clothing and jewelry. No matter the day or time or time of her life, she always took the time to look stunning and stylish, reflecting her kind and compassionate inner beauty. She also had the grace of keen intelligence, Identified early as a Mensa student, her wit and warm humor touched everyone she met. She had a curiosity about life and people that drew others to her.

She was an avid reader and followed the news, always seeking the opportunity to engage in intelligent, informed conversation. Carla loved animals and they her. She spent her last few years sharing a loving friendship with her daughter’s dog, Buddy, who spent most days with her and her faithful cat, RC. She had many stories about their time together each day. She will long be remembered for her beauty, grace, charm, kindness, intelligence and for bringing humor and vibrance to any situation. She was a loving, devoted mother and wife. Her vitality, kindness, love, and beauty will be missed more than words can express.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Fair Crawford, of Sonoma; and her daughter, Dean Tannewitz, of Sonoma. She is also survived by her brother, Dubert Perkins; and her niece and husband, Dawn and Bob Hutchison, and their three children, Bobby, Ian and Elizabeth. She is pre-deceased by her mother, Olga Perkins Blair and her father, Charles C. Perkins. She is also survived by Buddy and RC.

Services will be held on Friday, April 4, at 2 p.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma,. A beautiful, compassionate and courageous life will be celebrated. While flowers are welcome, memorial donations can be made to Pets Lifeline, P.O. Box 341, Sonoma, CA 95476.

Arrangements cared for under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service. Inquiries can be made to them at (707) 996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.