Margaret Crews

MARGARET ELIZABETH (SCHMITT) CREWSOn September 5, 2012 she went home to join many of her beloved family members. Born October 28,1920 in Liberal, KS, Margaret was first of three daughters and two sons born to August Carl Schmitt and Mildred (Hancock) Schmitt. Fleeing the dust bowl, the family moved from Liberal Kansas to "Shady Bend Farm" Farmington, NM in 1935. Margaret graduated from Farmington High School, Class of 1939 and remained lifelong friends with most of her classmates. Margaret and Lloyd V. Crews were married December 24, 1939, "until death do us part" 63 1/2 years later. During WWII, Lloyd served in Patton's 3rd Army across Europe, while Margaret served on the home-front caring for their two young children. After the war, the family moved to Albuquerque where they lived out their lives in the SAME home they bought in 1946. In 1947, Margaret and Lloyd transferred their church membership from Farmington to become lifelong members of the Albuquerque First United Methodist Church. Margaret worked 10 years at Public Service Company of NM. Then in 1965, "Me-Ma" began caring for children in her home. She started with her first grandson and his companions. Through the next 19 years, "Me-Ma" became "another grandmother" to dozens of children, providing loving care for them from their birth until they reached school-age. Margaret was lovingly, selflessly family-oriented; a wonderful cook and seamstress - her doll clothes wardrobes could have been a commercial enterprise. Margaret had an AMAZING memory and interest in people's lives. She became family historian - the source of names, dates, and events of many generations of her own and Lloyd's families. She could recite almost the entire genealogy of anyone she met which caused Lloyd's nephew to nickname her "Old Sponge Brain." A young lady of outspoken keen patriotic interest in history and civics caused her American Government teacher, Mr. Seth Poet, to remark, "Yes, Miss Schmitt, I think you may be our first woman President." Seriously dutiful and responsible, one of Margaret's frequent sayings was, "my rights end right where the other guy's nose begins." However, holding these high values didn't suppress her zany sense of humor - a good laugh was always an important part of living. Nearly blind, she enjoyed listening to funny papers read to her daily as well as hearing humorous audio books. The Crews' "Open Fun-House" welcomed for extended periods of time, any and all relatives alike. One of the Crews' chief joys was to take their grandchildren to Disneyland, Disneyworld and to their cabin at Vallecito Lake, CO. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd in 2003; parents of Shady Bend Farm, father in 1961 and mother in 1990; brother, Carl Schmitt in 1976; sister Myrna Hansen in 2001; many lifelong friends; three of "Me-Ma's Kids", and other dear relatives and dear in-law relatives. She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Elizabeth (Crews) Zinn of Albuquerque; son, Lloyd Michael Crews-Schmitt of the family home "Shady Bend Farm" Farmington, NM; five grandchildren, Steven Michael, Shiela Diane, Carol Michele, Michael Jason, Nicholas Lloyd; seven great-grandchildren, Robert, Skylar, Jason, Jasmine, Zoie, Jourdan, Gage, and Mikala; and two great great-grandsons, Aidan Jace and Christian Bryce; sister, Patricia Schmitt Black and husband, James Merle of Colombus, MS; brother, Roedell Schmitt and wife, Hope of Rio Rancho; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and most of "Me-Ma's Kids." A service will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012, 10:30 a.m., at French, University. Interment will follow at Sandia Memorial Gardens, 9500 San Pedro NE. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Presbyterian Hospice for their wonderful care and support.